this is your birth on drugs

[primroseburrows]

I thought I'd lost my wtf about the fuckery that goes on during hospital births a long time ago, but hmm, guess not.


From Molly Remer's Talk Birth blog:

'I recently finished reading the new book Birth Space, Safe Place by Adela Stockton (watch for my full review and a giveaway on the CfM blog next week!). The author lives in Scotland and something in the book’s glossary jumped out and caught my eye. The word was “diamorphine” and the definition was: “a semi-synthetic opoid for labour—only administered in Scotland; another name for heroin.”

The irony that giving heroin to women in labor is considered a medically acceptable practice, but that “letting” a woman labor without an IV or in water—as some of many examples—is considered unsafe or risky is so boggling my mind that I can’t even comment any further!'

I'd rant, but I really don't know what to say.

Comments

[patchfire.livejournal.com]

It's more the whole thing where heroin is all "BAD BAD BAD" for drug addicts, but it's OK if the medical profession wants to give it to you...

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

Because God forbid you should have a natural birth, on account of that's too OMGdangerous, but the heroin? That's medicine. It's there to help you.

[dragonflymuse.livejournal.com]

Some of the old narcotic record count sheets at my hospital have several columns for cocaine suspensions... and I work in paeds! Talk about comfort after a tonsillectomy!

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

That's right up there with adding it to colas, which was also done. Hi, kiddies, have a Coke!