 This aspect of birth is often left out of the stories (read Think Birth's article, which includes a water birth video). When creating a birth plan, it is often the overlooked part of preparations. Most birth plans focus on contraction management (first stage), some will extend to the birth itself (second stage), but few will continue onto the birth of the placenta.
Leaving this out of preparation can take a wonderful labour and birth, and turn it into a less than wonderful experience. The moments of meeting your baby interrupted by the standard protocols of birthing the placenta. (see this peer reviewed article about women's experiences birthing the placenta)
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 There is an unspoken reality lurking in the undertones of maternity care.
It is sinister and unconscious, a toxic unawareness that seeps into all communications and puts the weight of responsibility and expectation onto The Woman. I will call this The Game of Birth. I was talking to someone about 'birth disappointment' the other day, and was told "women should not have such high expectations! Honestly women these days are just so fragile". I took a deep breath before responding. If a healthy woman is expecting a 'normal birth' that is not a high expectation. That is a reasonable and minimal expectation. It is not 'fragile' to be disappointed by a birth that does not met this expectation. For women to lower their expectations of birth, to the reality of the current birth climate, would set a new (horribly) low benchmark. Along with "all that matters is a healthy baby" these comments tell us that women do not matter. First Class Maternity Care - it's a political choice (first class care should be the MINIMUM we expect!).
You see...this birth disappointment may just be putting new mothers at greater risk of Post Natal Anxiety and Depression (1). They begin their mothering journey full of self-doubt, and uncertainty. This can then be compounded by a mothering reality that does not meet their expectations.
 The internet is Big. Mind blowingly Big. You won't believe just how vastly, hugely, mind-bogglingly big it is.
Yes, I am a Douglas Adam's Fan  updated: 25/11/2019
You have probably heard of 'The Cascade of Intervention'. It is the idea that once an intervention occurs, the rest shall follow. This is a 'Slippery Slope'. It is however, a bit more nuanced than a cascade. There is more than one slope. And there are plateaus and forks. At the forks, we must make a choice. |
Selected Articles by Catherine around the web:
bellabirth.wordpress.com | evolutionary parenting | pregnancy.com.au | | birth without fear | newborn mothers | PBBMedia | Bellablog Topics
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External links open in a new page. I endeavour to only link to safe and non-spam websites. This website, and any provided links and reviews, are intended as information only. How you use this is up to you. |
Catherine is a member of the Doula Network Australia
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