Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Knowledge is Power

I hope every woman reading my blog will link to THIS blog post about C-Sections in our country and the typical scenario that happens in hospitals these days. I personally know multiple people who have had this same experience and have been told that their bodies just "couldn't" do it. I really do wish women would actually research facts about birth and their bodies. It seems like we are so careful during pregnancy..not even taking Ibuprofen or aspirin yet we put our bodies and the safety of our birth on the line when it comes to where we deliver and which care provider we choose. I know...I did it...I chose probably the worst OB practice with my first not knowing anything about them other than the office was really nice and they gave me chocolate every visit. I chose the hospital I did because it was the closest and had more bells and whistles. I had unknowingly set myself up for many interventions and possibly surgery. Luckily, I did not end up with a surgical birth but with the Dr. and hospital both having at least 30-40% C-section rates, it very well could have been. Why to we take more time picking out a salon and hair stylist to go to than we do a doctor or midwife? Come on ladies...

5 comments:

HM said...

You hit it right on the head.
It is interesting how much information there is out there and how uninformed most pregnant women are. I found that I had more personalized care with a midwife who also gave me way more information and discussed many more things with me dealing with the pregnancy and birth choices etc. than other women I know who chose an OB. She was also very supportive and encouraging as I made my birth choices but never made them for me as it seems so many Doctors do for their pregnant patients.

Lei said...

It's like there's a civil war between our past and our present. But I don't blame women who don't know any better. The way we choose to birth is foten apssed down from generations before us - we do waht mom and grandma did because it's what we know. What needs to happen is this gap needs to be bridged and OBs need to start educating their patients more about all their options. I know it's not liekyl to happen, what with the assembly line they put you on these days, but it would certainly help. Awareness is the problem and we rely on our provider to guide us through that.

Lei said...

sorry for the typos i was in a hurry!

Going Full Hippie said...

I think a lot of it is based out of fear, and ignorance. You don't get a lot of first time moms who want to really look at all the facts. It usually doens't happen until they have had a baby or two and they realize they are unhappy with the experience. We have been taught for so many years that birth is something to fear, and we need help/medicine/guidance/machines to make sure we are able to do it and come out of it alive. Women find out after the fact that that isn't so, but by then it is too late and they have suffered already.

This really needs to be taught in the schools. DO they cover birth in health classes?

David and Esther said...

Hi Sarah, I don't know if you remember me but I was Erin Millers companion when you were baptized. I'm Sister Adams. I was so excited when I saw your blog link on Erin's blog. It's so good to see you are doing well and your little girl is adorable. Your blog is way cute and I agree about the lack of research thing. My biggest beef about my OB is that for both of my kids I have had the same OB yet she has delivered neither child. I got stuck with some guy I had never met before and was quite frankly, a big hairy, old school doctor that didn't say a word to me. (For both births! what are the chances?) Anyway... There will definitely be a little more thought put into the next birth. Thanks! Oh, and you can link to my blog if the desire strikes you through Erin's mission friends list. I think it's under "Palmer" or maybe "inside our box"