I read this new release immediately upon receiving it yesterday. Though I can see its great contribution to these fields, I did not read it from a childbirth provider's, scholar's, or politician's point of view. I read it as a mother who chose home birth at 42 years old---amongst other reasons--to avoid being caught in the "cascade of interventions"--or what I call the "birth template" prepared for us by committees. I read it as someone who writes and advocates for natural childbirth.
Cut It Out, written by Professor Theresa Morris, offers new insight to answer the question: "if most women do not want or choose c-section and most maternity providers claim not to prefer c-section over vaginal birth, why has there been an astronomical increase in the c-section rate in the United States?"
It doesn't discuss why there are c-sections, but why there are so many c-sections. The author suggests (and supplies abundant research to back it up) that it's not as simple as the typical list of reasons offered: mothers "to posh to push," or women being overweight, or too "small," or doctors just choosing the easiest or most profitable route. She explains that there is a complex of committees--organizations--in place in which doctors and women are participants, but that "Maternity providers and women are constrained by hospital rules and behavior, even if the expected behaviors do not lead to improved outcomes."
For those wanting natural childbirth, of course home birth is an option, but many women feel safer in a hospital and many need to be there for valid reasons. So what does a woman do who wants natural childbirth in the hospital environment?
Read, learn, know what to expect and how to work with and against the birthing "systems." Cut It Out (a clear picture of the what and WHY in the hospital), and Ina May's Guide to Childbirth (considered a must-read by advocates of natural childbirth) would be two great books to start with for any new mother, knowing she wants the most natural, healthy, and loving childbirth experience possible, but not knowing (yet) how to achieve it.
As with any experience--the more we know about what we're going into, the better we can prepare and the better outcome we can anticipate. If you're going to give birth in the hospital, this is a book to read.
________________________________
Just the word “breech” can strike fear in pregnant women—and rightfully so...
Natural childbirth in a hospital, home birth, and postpartum
care have become so uncommon in the US (and increasingly in other countries)
that they are now considered by many to be too difficult, unnecessary, or even frivolous...
Do I need to take the glucose tolerance test?
•50 grams of glucose •tap water •artificial flavor
___________________________
Her articles have appeared in:
• The Well Being Journal
• The Holistic Networker
• The Birthing Site
• Natural Mother Magazine
• Kindred Community
• MidwiferyToday
Her published titles are: New Mother, Free Love, and Go, Jane!
Website: www.alliechee.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/AllieChee
NEW MOTHER on Amazon
• MidwiferyToday
Her published titles are: New Mother, Free Love, and Go, Jane!
Website: www.alliechee.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/AllieChee
NEW MOTHER on Amazon
No comments:
Post a Comment