Many of us midwives were taught some erroneous beliefs about our roles and we were so busy doing what we had been taught we did not take enough time to ask why. I was very fortunate to have had one remarkable preceptor who asked me WHY a million times. She and I were not peas in a pod and she was not always happy with my answer but she was outstanding in that she took that chance .....that we were going to disagree. And she knew that I was not going to practice as taught, but one thing for sure; I would be able to articulate why about everything I did or did not do. Still so much of what I thought we were supposed to do was rooted in fear. However another aspect of fear helped me form my midwifery philosophy.
I think my personality had a lot to do with the kind of midwife I became. A lot of my hands off attitude was not due entirely to my "with woman" philosophy, but with my fear of screwing something up if I didn't know how to do it! Soon I realized that it was better that I not do it anyway! And as time passed, I found that "doing less" was backed up with good science. I have to tell you, too, that my major introspective examination happened when I met a doctor in 1987 who trusted birth a lot more than I did. He became a trusted mentor and dear, dear friend, Dr. John Stevenson. He really gave me the courage to start telling the truth about birthing issues, even when those truths were unpopular.
I am going to see him Australia next week, as we are working on finishing his book. I also hope to spend some time talking with former clients and midwives he helped during his long home birth career.
All of you birth trusters would lOVE him. Dr. John trusted birth way before most of us did! You can download a couple of his talks at the 94 conference at the www.ancientartmidwifery.com click on the aami store His are Adept Baby and 3rd & 4th Stage difficulties.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
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7 comments:
carla, i cannot wait to hear what dr john gives you.
I'm really confused about my current apprenticeship, and what is my place to give the mom suggestions when the midwife disagrees or contradicts. I know she is more knowledgeable than I am, but I'm an educator and I'm teaching all my students these things. I was at a very confusing birth last night that ended in transfer. I think it was for good reason, but I always think about how things could be different, whenever a birth does not go smoothly. I'm scared that I may wind up getting away from my original intentions of how to practice.
Carla,
I am so glad you are speaking out about Birth Truth! I have had so many ideas and thoughts about birth but never seem to find other people, even midwives who agree. Keep on the front lines you aren't alone. God bless!
Sherry
You're not alone :-) Sending love and support across the ocean to you!
Janet Fraser
http://www.joyousbirth.info/
Joyous Birth, Australian homebirth network.
Hi Carla: Kneelingwoman here. I've been in touch with you in my "real' identity ( or maybe this IS my real identity ) as a Midwife over the years. I hope you'll take a look at my blog closetotheroot.blogspace.com but, that isn't why I'm posting. I just read the interview you did with Rixa on her blog....I agree and have always agreed, in principle, with your ideas. I have practiced in a radical "trust birth" fashion for years and have been openly supportive, ideologically and practically, to UC birth parents' for more than 10 years. But I have run aground on the issue because I don't think the reality on the ground is as simple as you ( and I ) portray. We may be in agreement with a family about our status as a "paid consultant" and they may well develop a sense of empowerment and trust in themselves and birth that sustains them through their wonderfully normal and lovely births. But, my experience has been, sadly, that all that goes away when there is a complication. Suddenly, you are absolutely the "life guard" and "health care professional" who had bloody well better "fix" whatever is wrong, if possible, and you better be able to explain to a prosecuting attorney's office that you were only there as a "paid consultant" NOT as someone with professional midwifery skills who this couple hired to "care" for them and their baby. I have, luckily, not be in this horrible situation but I know very "trusting" midwives who have. I have had the "turn around" happen with couples I felt very good about; people I thought I had a strong, even written, agreement with. The fact is, the laws still do not protect homebirth midwives or families. We haven't a leg to stand on, many times, when there is a poor outcome. I would very much like to know how you address this reality with apprentices or midwives you work with and teach. How do we practice "trust birth" midwifery within a culture that not only doesn't "trust birth" but insists that every bad outcome has a reason and every reason has some person attached to it; someone who will be blamed.
Hello I just entered before I have to leave to the airport, it's been very nice to meet you, if you want here is the site I told you about where I type some stuff and make good money (I work from home): here it is
Thank you for these words Carla. I like what you have to say about the "fear of screwing something up if I didn't know how to do it." And how that lead to your discovery that often doing nothing works best anyway. Hearing those words from you gives me a sense of relief. :) In your post in June 2008, on Midwifery education, you make it clear that client education is soooooo important. That is one of the many aspects I have loved about AAMI. Midwifery is about the mamas and babies and families. Midwifery is not about catching. Midwifery is about connecting and sharing information with the families I am blessed to connect with.
Is there a way to post a comment on that particular blog? May I post a link to your blog from mine?
Love
Brenda F.
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