Comments | norwegian_wood: Are Midwives Failing Women? by Linda Hessel

norwegian_wood

Are Midwives Failing Women? by Linda Hessel

Jan 12, 2006 13:32

In Jan Tritten's editorial, "Out of the Pot, Into the Fire," (Midwifery Today, Issue 63) she wonders whether the reason that there is an unassisted birth movement is that midwives have failed women. Well, it is true that midwives sometimes fail women, though it is not only through their own faults or negligence or naiveté; it is partly because in ( Read more... )

medwives

Comments 6

absinthea January 12 2006, 19:50:39 UTC

One thing I think is important to note is that NOBODY "delivers" a woman'
s baby but her. I will even be bold enough to say that even in a c-section, it is the MOTHER that gives BIRTH to her baby. The place of midwives and doctors in a normal, healthy pregnancy and birth is more that of a guide, not a dominator. But what role has medicine pushed onto women? That they are the dominators, the managers, the ones in control...which I think we both know is a bunch of horse manure. The MW and Docs have a place in intervention, but that intervention shouldn't be abused (like it currently is). A good MW is more of a "coach", standing back and assisting as requested by the birthing mom and dad. Oh my gosh, I could write so much more...but I have kids to go pick up from school ;)

joy_disaster January 12 2006, 21:13:10 UTC

Yeah, pretty much.

I also needed to contact our midwife and tell her I was bullshit at her for fucking everything up, but I just couldn't do it. I wrote a long letter, but never sent it. Later my friend began working with her and urged me that she needed to hear my complaints because she was repeating the mistakes with others. Argh. It was crappy. I will never hire a midwife again. The most I'd do is ask my friend to attend (who is unfortunately midwife trained, but experienced) and offer to pay her after the fact.

radrose January 12 2006, 21:18:00 UTC

What a great post. I had a midwife at my first birth, and like yours, she was very open to me having control over what was going on. She was a GREAT midwife as far as midwives go, but I still experienced a lot of what you're talking about here. I decided after that that I would never have another "professional" attend any birth of mine and so far I've been very happy with that choice.

norwegian_wood January 12 2006, 21:43:23 UTC

i didn't write this - not my story!
*points to subject heading*

:P

it is a great piece though :)

radrose January 12 2006, 21:48:43 UTC

Oh, Duh!
:D

babyslime January 13 2006, 01:24:45 UTC

That was a really good read.
On the bonding issue, I feel a lot of understanding because I literally cried for hours when I had to say goodbye to Maggie. However, she always keeps in touch with her past clients, invites them to gatherings, emails, and looks them up from time to time. I still talk to her sometimes. :)