The Business of Being Born

A friend of mine posted her impressions regarding The Business of Being Born. She and her husband felt it was anti-doctor and against hospitals. I just posted a loooong response on her blog, and thought I'd put it up on mine as a post. :)  I hope that's okay, aimee!!!

I think "THe Business of Being Born" was one sided on purpose--because shows like Maternity Ward, and A Baby Story, tend to show mostly hospital births where the doctor swoops in to call all of the shots.

I wanted a natural birth desperately with Grace. My doctor, a Christian whom I trusted, told me I HAD to have a c/s. I didn't want one, I told him, and he said, "You HAVE to." Terry asked, "isn't there another way?" and we were told "no." My op record says that we OPTED for the procedure. And there was NO reason for a cesarean, other than the fact that labor was taking longer than the doctor wanted to wait.

The problem is that doctors DO have to be careful of liability. They are more likely to call shots based on potential legal issues than what's truly better for the mother.

Look at VBACs!!! I had to jump through all kinds of hoops to get a natural birth with AJ, because although VBACs are usually safer than multiple cesareans, most doctors won't risk their insurance.

I don't hate doctors. But I do believe that they are trained as surgeons first, baby catchers second.

When in labor, you are essentially helpless. You have NO control over what medication goes in your IV, whether the doctor breaks your water with your permission or without,whether you're allowed in the birthing tub or shower, etc. You are focusing on contractions and trying to make it moment by moment. A birth plan can be regarded--or disregarded--at the doctor's discretion. Who is going to check out of the hospital in the middle of heavy labor just because you don't like the way the doctor is treating you? Your options are severely limited, and the doctor and nursing staff know it. The staff want it easier on them, which means pressure for an epidural. Natural labor is HARD work and the staff find it more time consuming to help a patient going naturally.

The best thing we did was hire a doula. :) She helped ask the questions we didn't think to ask and I feel that her presence showed the hospital staff we were very serious about the birth experience we needed.

Anyhow. Not every birth experience is like that, and I don't mean to paint all hospitals and doctors with this paintbrush. But this IS the general state of birthing in the United States. That's why we must be so educated on what our bodies can actually do!!!!