This woman is seeking control. Her choice only gets her control over *when* and *how*. And it puts her completely out of control when it matters most.
When it comes to issues surrounding birthing choices, and recognizing the traditional medical establishment's views, it seems to me that control can only remotely be possible when you are as informed, and as proactive as possible. Otherwise, there are plenty of others willing to make all your choices for you.
My question is: has it gotten any better over the past couple of decades? When I had my kids, I had to actively seek out a doctor who *wouldn't tie my hands down(!)*, during labor, and was willing to not do a routine episiotomy. I was lucky enough by my second pregnancy to find a doctor who would not only listen to what I wanted, but believed that giving birth was natural, healthy, and was best done at home with the support of a midwife and your family. But I'm not hearing any good news about how things are for expectant moms these days. It doesn't seem any better than it was 20 years ago.
It hasn't gotten much better. And C-sections are more available than ever.
Midwives need to handle normal, stable births. Fewer births need to be in hospital. Ultrasounds need to be used only when it's medically necessary (like there's actually a question of a problem and not "gee, I wonder if it's a girl or a boy?").
And for the gods' sake, America, stop cutting off parts of baby boys.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2004-11-29 06:56 pm (UTC)When it comes to issues surrounding birthing choices, and recognizing the traditional medical establishment's views, it seems to me that control can only remotely be possible when you are as informed, and as proactive as possible. Otherwise, there are plenty of others willing to make all your choices for you.
My question is: has it gotten any better over the past couple of decades? When I had my kids, I had to actively seek out a doctor who *wouldn't tie my hands down(!)*, during labor, and was willing to not do a routine episiotomy. I was lucky enough by my second pregnancy to find a doctor who would not only listen to what I wanted, but believed that giving birth was natural, healthy, and was best done at home with the support of a midwife and your family. But I'm not hearing any good news about how things are for expectant moms these days. It doesn't seem any better than it was 20 years ago.
(no subject)
Date: 2004-11-29 07:54 pm (UTC)Midwives need to handle normal, stable births. Fewer births need to be in hospital. Ultrasounds need to be used only when it's medically necessary (like there's actually a question of a problem and not "gee, I wonder if it's a girl or a boy?").
And for the gods' sake, America, stop cutting off parts of baby boys.