Another amazing birth, but for different reasons.

[Momtezuma Tuatara]

I cried.

http://navelgazingbirthstories.blogspot.com/2007/12/birth-unfolds-in-photos-words.html

[MinorityView]

Absolutely amazing!

[RandomName]

Beautiful. (and oh, do I wish that doctor had been at my oldest's birth!!!)

[gilima]

:joy:
so empowering!!!!
the photos are truly amazing.....these photos should be in the birth books and magazines!!!!!

[deesalie]

This story just doesn't sit well with me. Why are we praising the Dr so much? Because he wore a yellow t shirt? Or because he LET her birth on all fours? While I understand this is not
the norm in hospitals I'm not sure it's anything to be cheering about. And the midwife seemed scarier to me than the Dr... preparing for a caesarean, panicking over sticky shoulders.
How sad that in 20 years she's never seen a birth on all fours in hospital. If it was me, I'd be thanking my lucky stars that that particular Dr was on duty that day and not one of his scalpel
happy friends. How about giving the credit and praise to the mother who was the one, in fact, who birthed a baby.

[Serephina]

I agree with deesalie. What's the deal with the doctor worshipping? The mother was the one doing all the hard work!


In 24 years and 8 months of assisting women in birth in the hospital, I have never seen a woman birth on hands and knees. I've never seen an OB or a CNM allow a woman to birth in the hands and knees position.

This made me want to cry.

[RandomName]

I don't like the phrasing of "let" and "allow" either (I actively avoid it in talking with people, just like I tend to reply with "birthed" instead of "delivered" in conversation). And yes, it is very sad that hospital births like this are the exception.

But for that mama, I am *delighted* for her that she had that doctor and didn't have to fight tooth and nail to birth how her body needed to.

And it generally isn't easy for doctors to buck established procedures and protocols...they often face very real negative consequences for doing so. I appreciate the ones who are willing to stick their necks out to give good care, like this one apparently does. Yes, they're "just" doing what they should...but it's good to appreciate it too, just like any of us enjoys appreciation for doing what's right, especially in the face of challenges.

[Serephina]

But for that mama, I am *delighted* for her that she had that doctor and didn't have to fight tooth and nail to birth how her body needed to..

Absolutely. And the picture of the baby crowning was amazing.

I guess it's just hard to celebrate crumbs (good hospital birth) at the moment when the loaf (homebirth) has been taken away from us here in Australia.

On a more positive note I really love this blog for gorgeous birth photos and stories http://www.homebirth.net.au/2009/01/birth-is-art.html

[deesalie]

^^^ yeah, that

[Momtezuma Tuatara]

The bit that made me cry was the fact that so few mothers in USA actually get a shot at real birth.

I didn't interpret it as doctor worshiping actually. More an incredulity and acknowledgement that he was indeed an almost extinct species. There was a degree of sarcastic double entendre in it, to me....

That shows just how differently people interpret text.

[Serephina]

The bit that made me cry was the fact that so few mothers in USA actually get a shot at real birth.

That makes me want to cry too.


I didn't interpret it as doctor worshiping actually. More an incredulity and acknowledgement that he was indeed an almost extinct species. There was a degree of sarcastic double entendre in it, to me....

That shows just how differently people interpret text.

I didn't pick up on the sarcasm - the difficulties of communicating online! Admittedly my reading of the blog post may have been clouded by other posts I have read previously on that particular blog. I don't have a lot of respect for midwives (medwives?) who use UCers/freebirthers as scapegoats to further their own agendas.

[Momtezuma Tuatara]

I think it can also be a case of inconsistencies.

How many people will hold strong views in one area of life, yet seemingly contradict that with views which run contrary to that?

Like - no chemical, sprays, all organics, and then vaccinate their kids?!!!

[MinorityView]

In order to question vaccines, first you have to think about vaccines.

And the drumbeat has been: "don't think, just believe."

Vaccines are the ultimate faith-based medical intervention, in my view.

[Kharma]

I'm thinking about going back to nz to have my next baby. Am not keen on the maternity system here. I had two midwives happy for me to have my next at home. My first was nearly born in the car so I figured it'd would be less stressful to stay put next time. I love that the nz government will pay for 2 midwives to attend homebirths, why did we leave again??

[Momtezuma Tuatara]

the New Zealand midwifery scene is already starting to show serious cracks. One reason being that young midwives are hard to find, and some of them are too cavalier, and older ones are getting so deeply tired, that they are retiring early. So the numbers of midwives is seriously low.. it's extremely hard to get into a good midwife unless you plan ahead, work with a midwife before you get pregnant, and enrol the minute you know you are pregnant. Some midwives are now very chosey about who they take (which is contrary tothe human rights leg.) so for the good midwives, a lot of under the table negotiation goes on.

The reason for that is that many young mothers today, in this country, take no responsibility for their own health, and "as of right" expect a healthy baby. then if things go wrong, they report the midwife.

What most experienced midwives want to do, but can't, is say no to the irresponsible quotient, and throw them at the hospital system.

But yes, there will be a real crunch point here in the near future. It will not be pretty.