No, I will never get tired of this subject… lol.
Over the weekend, I was talking with some non-birthy friends about another friend who had just recently gotten completely hosed by her care providers in the recent birth of her child. It’s the same story everywhere. Due date = panic = induction = baby’s so obviously not ready = probably off on dates = pitocin = hard, hard labor = epidural = mom can’t move = C/S. Suddenly a couple planning for a nice, natural birth ends up with a completely unexpected (and unnecessary) Cesearean.
I wasn’t even going to discuss it, but it came up, and so I started talking. It occurred to me as I was talking that it might seem that I’m judging those who make decisions differently than I do. And that’s not really it.
People don’t have to make the same decisions I do.
However, I strongly feel that people should make INFORMED decisions. And I also strongly feel that, particularly in the care of pregnant patients, OBs in this country do not facilitate said informed decisions.
Yes, there are “informed consent” forms that must be signed. They list the risks. What they don’t say is “the use of pitocin makes labor much more difficult to cope with because you get the harsh uterine contractions but without the natural pain-relieving ‘high’ that you get with natural contractions. This makes it more likely that you will request an epidural for pain relief. The use of an epidural means you won’t be able to get up or change positions. Actually, you could, but your OB and nurses will discourage this, and will not help support your numb legs if you want to get more upright. Trying to push out a baby when you’re laying on your back or sitting on your tailbone is extremely difficult, since you’re working against gravity. As your OB, this is how I like it, so I have a nice view without having to bend over. Pushing in this position is difficult, and does not allow your pelvis to flex in the way it needs to to make room for your baby. After you’ve pushed for a while, I’ll tell you that your pelvis is too small, which is only partly true, and you’ll have major surgery.”
Right?
I like Dr Sears take on the issue – one of his books he talks about your choices in labor. He says he doesn’t care what you choose, but you need to know the truth about your options.
That’s how I feel, too. When people know the TRUTH about their options, then they are truly making decisions. Otherwise, they’re just being taken advantage of. And THAT is what gets me mad.
Mad at the care providers doing this to their patients. mad at the patients for allowing it and not taking the initiative to get educated.


