Sahail AshrafBirth – A Natural, Life Giving Process?
June 15th 2007 04:04
When I gave birth to my daughter a little over two years ago I thought I had chosen the best care in the best facility. My husband and I took out private health insurance, including hospital cover, when we first had thoughts of starting a family. Little did we know that delivering in a private hospital with my own obstetrician would result in an interventionist approach to giving birth and that it would affect my health for years afterwards.
Like many women who have this common model of care, the magic of bringing a new life into this world was thwarted by a medicalised approach to birth. I experienced interventions I wanted to avoid. I was offered drugs I had clearly stated I didn’t want (though I thankfully resisted). I was assisted by two midwives I didn’t know, and who had totally different approaches to each other. I birthed in a way that made the birth process more difficult rather than easier. My ante-natal care was medical and patronising. My obstetrician didn’t know my name and continuously asked me my due date. He tried to send me for tests I’d already had, and missed crucial health indicators, like high blood pressure. Post-natal care was just as impersonal with various midwives offering different advice, and criticism. My baby was given a dummy and formula without my permission. My weakness after hemorrhaging wasn’t addressed until two days later, when I finally received a blood transfusion. I left hospital exhausted from the birth, but even more so from the constant interruptions and noise throughout the day and night.
So, as my husband and I consider having a second child, I am determined not to have the same experience again. Continuity of care is something I didn’t know would be so difficult to find in Australia. But as I research I have discovered that if I give birth in hospital, whether it be in the public or private sector, I’ll be with a midwife I don’t know, and who doesn’t know me (or with more than one midwife if I happen to be labouring during a shift change as I was last time.) Even if I chose the option of my only accessible birth centre, I still wouldn’t know the midwife.
What this has led me to is independent midwifery. The only way I can have one on one care for the pre-natal, birth and post-natal periods are if I hire my own midwife. This is far from an inexpensive option. While the baby bonus could be used on essential items like furniture and other items necessary for the new baby, my husband and I are heavily leaning towards using it for continuity of care. There’s still the possibility that if complications arise I won’t be able to do this, but it’s looking like the best option.
It really astounds me that this is the only choice for women. Birth is the most profoundly personal and amazing experience for a woman, yet the opportunity to have continuity of care is just not there. In New Zealand, the majority of women have midwifery care, and it’s free. Why in Australia are the options so limited and archaic? When there is so much information out there about natural, active birth, it’s been a real eye opener to discover I’ll really have to fight for this option whether I chose public or private care.
Sources: www.bellybelly.com.au, Really Long Link
Like many women who have this common model of care, the magic of bringing a new life into this world was thwarted by a medicalised approach to birth. I experienced interventions I wanted to avoid. I was offered drugs I had clearly stated I didn’t want (though I thankfully resisted). I was assisted by two midwives I didn’t know, and who had totally different approaches to each other. I birthed in a way that made the birth process more difficult rather than easier. My ante-natal care was medical and patronising. My obstetrician didn’t know my name and continuously asked me my due date. He tried to send me for tests I’d already had, and missed crucial health indicators, like high blood pressure. Post-natal care was just as impersonal with various midwives offering different advice, and criticism. My baby was given a dummy and formula without my permission. My weakness after hemorrhaging wasn’t addressed until two days later, when I finally received a blood transfusion. I left hospital exhausted from the birth, but even more so from the constant interruptions and noise throughout the day and night.
So, as my husband and I consider having a second child, I am determined not to have the same experience again. Continuity of care is something I didn’t know would be so difficult to find in Australia. But as I research I have discovered that if I give birth in hospital, whether it be in the public or private sector, I’ll be with a midwife I don’t know, and who doesn’t know me (or with more than one midwife if I happen to be labouring during a shift change as I was last time.) Even if I chose the option of my only accessible birth centre, I still wouldn’t know the midwife.
What this has led me to is independent midwifery. The only way I can have one on one care for the pre-natal, birth and post-natal periods are if I hire my own midwife. This is far from an inexpensive option. While the baby bonus could be used on essential items like furniture and other items necessary for the new baby, my husband and I are heavily leaning towards using it for continuity of care. There’s still the possibility that if complications arise I won’t be able to do this, but it’s looking like the best option.
It really astounds me that this is the only choice for women. Birth is the most profoundly personal and amazing experience for a woman, yet the opportunity to have continuity of care is just not there. In New Zealand, the majority of women have midwifery care, and it’s free. Why in Australia are the options so limited and archaic? When there is so much information out there about natural, active birth, it’s been a real eye opener to discover I’ll really have to fight for this option whether I chose public or private care.
Sources: www.bellybelly.com.au, Really Long Link
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Comment by Nickoftime's Sanity Corner
My sister delivered her two boys in a birthing unit that resembled more of a comfortable well attended livingroom than a hospital room...
She was attended by midwives too, but she had known both of them prior to her delivery on a personal friendship level...
Having a child is difficult and stressful enough not to have to even add more stress and worry on top of it...
I wish you and your hubby all the best...I'm sire you'll both make the decision that's right for you....
Great post!
Take care,
Nick
Comment by Candice
It's great that your sister had that kind of support available to her. Where I live there's a birthing centre but they have a team of midwives and doctors, so you're pretty unlikely to have a midwife you know or have even met before, on the day. Unfortunately, it's a bit of a case of 'luck of the draw' with what you get, depending on where you live.
Thanks for your comments. At least I've known to look at different options this time - hindsight's a great thing!
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
Have you considered a doula? Is that what you mean by independent midwifery? Doula's actually stay with you before during and after the birth. I think they even come home with you if you like.
There are some brilliant midwives out there but like you said it is luck of the draw.
Shame about your OB. I'm glad my wasn't like that. But I'm also a bit of a bossy boots.
Good luck with your decision
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by Candice
Yes, I have thought of having a doula. I'm still deciding whether to go with an ob and doula or private midwife. I'm just leaning more towards my own midwife at this stage because I don't want to battle for a natural birth. Unfortunately, I don't have that assertive nature to fight for the birth I want - I'd love to take a leaf out of your bossy boots book! Have you got a spare?
My last ob wasn't actually my first choice. The woman I had gave up private practice early in my pregnancy. I had the choice of two other obs who worked in the same centre, so I went with one of them because I'd already paid the fees. In hindsight I should have cut my losses and still gone elsewhere.
Thanks for sharing your comments. They're hard decisions to make so any thoughts are so welcome.
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
Anyway, with my second I went privately with an OB and explained the situation. Well the same dilemma came up and he was happy to not induce but monitored me a little more closely. I carried to term, went into labour all on my own.
My OB did leave instructions to break my waters when I reached 6 cm but I told the midwife that I wasn't comfortable with that. How did they know that the baby's head was in the right position.
I had a friend who had her waters broken because she had been labouring for a long time and was only half a centremetre dialiated. Well she got to ten cms only to have to have an emergency caesar because the baby's head wasn't in the right position. Why? I think it's because they broke her waters too soon. Baby's still move around even during labour, getting into the right position.
Just let nature take its course I say.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by Candice
I couldn't agree more. Hospitals want to rush things along so much these days. When my MIL gave birth to my hubby she laboured for 36 hours (Ughh!) but at least she was given the opportunity to let her body do the work for her. Now if you go over 24 hours it's an automatic caesar.
I was 'hurried along' with my second stage and I think that has a lot to do with damage that was caused. I was going to be induced too but thankfully my daughter came of her own accord the night before. From before she was born she's wanted to do everything herself. Hee, hee.
My sister was asked if she wanted to be induced because she was due just after Christmas so it was 'bad timing.' I couldn't believe it when she told me that.
There are so many stories like these and the one about your friend. I guess that's why I'm so determined not to go down the 'interventionist' route again.
Thanks for your comments, much appreciated!
Comment by Andrea
V8 Supercar Pitstop
My recent pregnancy and birth was completed using the public health system here in Victoria. I made the decision early on to use the facilities at a fairly close country hospital rather than a closer city hospital and I think this made all the difference.
Being a smaller facility there were less staff members so I had the opportunity to meet all the midwives beforehand during my ante-natal visits. During the birth I was attended by two midwives and would only have needed the assistance of an obstetrician if complications had arisen.
I really feel for you as no woman should have that kind of experience when giving birth. My recent birth experience was a very good one and I really hope you can enjoy a similar wonderful experience when your next child is finally ready to come into this world.
I've heard that hiring your own midwife is very expensive over here and can also be quite difficult, unlike many other countries in the developed world where they seem to understand the needs of pregnant women more clearly.
I wish you and your husband luck in your endeavours and hope you can find the experience you deserve when you're eventually ready to expand your family.
A. xx
Comment by Candice
Thanks for dropping by, especially as I'd imagine you don't have too much time on your hands just at the moment.
Thanks too for sharing your thoughts. It's nice to hear of other women's experiences, especially good ones. I wish the birth centre accessible to me had a smaller team of midwives. The one further out closed down because of a lack of obstetricians in the area, but you've made me think that looking into some other hospitals besides the obvious may be the go.
I'm in Victoria too, and I've only managed to track down one private midwife whom I'm going to meet. And you're right, it's very expensive so is a tough option.