So my daughter just had her daughter [View all]
A couple of hours ago. She uses midwives-- this is her first girl, fourth and last child.
So I was bemused at all the changes. I had my daughter ay 17, she had my oldest grandson at 19, so I've been a grandmother since my mid thirties. For my oldest grandchild, I was her couch, she lay prone, and I helped her through her contractions, helped her through the birth, was her coach counting.
Tonight, she lays on her knees, with her upper body elevated. Earlier she had able to deal the pain by walking, pacing really. She refuses drugs. They put her in the jacuzzi bath, and shortly after she can feel the baby trying to come, and she can no longer hold back pushing (her last check she had only been dilated 5cm)
So there she is, in the position she found most comfortable--NOT on her back pushing outward, but letting gravity assist her. No counting, just gentle encouragement and advice from the midwife and the nurse. Her husband is there, rubbing her back, mostly silent support, I'm there just with my hands on her back, quieter as well (I did whisper "she has hair" when the baby was crowning)
Anyway, when the baby came out and as they were cleaning her, before "cutting the cord" they hand the baby to my daughter. She's cleaned up and my daughters husband does the cord thing.
Once the placenta has passed and everybody is cleaned up-- the baby is put to her breast, and with a little encouragement latches on.
No more fuss than nessisary, just a peaceful albeit painful, birth.
So I found this article by a midwife
by Sara Wickham, RM [Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in Midwifery Today Issue 53 (Spring 2000), page 28.]
This action list of small things all midwives can do to change societal attitudes toward birth and to promote midwifery and the midwifery model was derived from some research I carried out a few years ago. All the suggestions are either free or very low cost, and none will take too much time or effort. Some things on the list won't be new ideas to you, but they might act as a gentle reminder that simple, everyday things might have a positive impact on the way our society sees birth and midwifery. No. 26 wasn't on my original list but was a suggestion that Judy Edmunds offered and is something she does herself. Thanks, Judy!
If you are interested in why they work, here is a brief lowdown of some of the main factors involved:
The more people are exposed to hearing about midwifery and gentle birth, the more it will become a norm for them.
Attitudes are formed in childhood; therefore, we need to ensure that children are exposed to these ideas at an early stage.
Experience is an important part in attitude change—if you can encourage people to experience something for themselves, it is much more powerful than telling them about it.
People are more likely to listen to those who appear to understand and sympathise with the other side of the argument. Appearing to be unbiased means you will appear more credible than if you come across as feeling very passionate about your cause (even though the majority of us do feel this way).
Talking to people who support birthing women (partners, grandparents) is just as important as talking to women themselves, because these are the people who influence women's decisions.
Reflecting on past decisions and their outcomes helps us think more logically about why a situation might have happened and discourages us from making (possibly incorrect) assumptions.
http://www.midwiferytoday.com/articles/changebirth.asp
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