A SIGN of the Times

So, here we are, back at the sign that everyone is up in arms about. Do I like it? No. Do I think it's hateful and ignorant and arrogant? Yes. But there's a deeper issue here I'd like to discuss.

The fact that the sign is UP us a victory for doulas and natural birthers everywhere. There are enough women asking for a birth of choice to upset someone who is not accustomed to giving them-- which means, we're mainstream. Of course, it's not good news that this doctor's office felt it necessary to say 'we are not like them and do not accept them', but I DO find it encouraging that our natural birth/doula/vbac movement is strong enough, and has enough interest generated by it that this office felt it necessary to say 'we're not like them'.

To be a 'them' is to be recognized as the 'other party' in a conflict, which means our side has gained enough public respect to be bothersome and common for this office. It's too bad they don't like us, progress takes time, but it does happen. Little by little the old school will be overturned, and the liberals win out. Progress is just that, what happens over time. Progress never stops, and to me, this is great sign that acknowledges our presence and prevalence in the mainstream birth communbity.

This makes me angry, but gives me hope. In 20 years, many women will either leave this office in disgust, or the sign will be taken down by a 'new management' who isn't so bothered by women's choices. You can't stop progress, not even with nifty green engraved signs in your waiting room that are full of spelling and grammatical errors.

Midwives, Food and Drink

Another article on why women should be able to eat and drink during labor.. so that the labor does not outlast her blood sugar...

This was written in response to this article, put out by ACOG-- with the rest of us yelling.... DUH!

We know there are risks of mother's aspirating vomit while under anesthesia, however, NORMAL births are done without anesthesia, and this level of precaution for the 'just in case it's surgery' reason is not only ridiculous, but harmful.

If mother cannoe keep up her blood sugar, not only is she hungry, but baby is hungry. Labor is hard work for both parties, and to deprive a fetus of food while he is making the hardest trip of his life is downright cruel. Babies go into distress when they cannot cope with their environment, and it's not too much of a leap to assume that being exhausted and without nourishment for the hours long marathon of labor could add to a baby ending up 'in distress'.

Give the woman a cheeseburger! Or at least a bowl of fruit! I guarantee this will result in lower incidence of fetal distress, which will mean fewer interventions, fewer instrumental births, and fewer cesarean sections.