Discussion Blog Nine
Giving birth is supposed to be one of the most amazing experiences a woman can go through. While I agree very much with that statement, I can’t help but think that today the experience is so much different than it ever used to be. The 20th century has brought about so many advancements in the medicinal world. Not only have the methods and drugs used in childbirth have undergone many alterations throughout this time, but the general attitude toward childbearing has taken a huge shift as well.
As demonstrated in this week's reading c-sections are not always the best option for mother and child. So why are more women choosing to undergo these procedures? In lesson nine, under instructor’s blog, cybergrrl links c-sections to women’s socialized ideas of how childbirth should be. In most media a women’s’ labor begins with her water breaking and then she promptly gives birth. What a deception this is considering the average birth takes 13 hours and they can easily go longer then that. Are we once again witnessing the men dominate society trying to keep women ashamed and unsure of themselves. Are men living in fear that if women were to embrace their true strengths their great domination would quickly diminish? Or as Suarez suggest, are these obstetricians trying to make more money by getting women to choose the more expensive c-section that also proves to be more convenient for them. Are they simply attempting to protect themselves from potential malpractice suits? Or do they believe they are helping the unfortunate women and her body is not actually equipped for the delivery? Why are hospitals and Obstetricians attempting to keep midwifes from practicing independently when it has been proven to be a more desirable option for many women (Suarez, Midwifery is not the Practice of Medicine)What do you suggest women do to regain power over their birth experience and put the obstetrician back in his place? Many women are working to do so. What steps should the media take in order to portray a more accurate childbirth experience? We have come a ways from the past, but how much farther do you think we have to go?
This sure isn’t the way I was brought into this world. How about you? But doesn’t it sound peaceful, soothing, relaxing, and normal? Compare this home birth to a conventional hospital birth where the mother is situated in a sterile hospital room surrounded by medical staff encased in surgical gloves and masks with a tray of sterilized instruments (scalpels and forceps) and a shot full of pain relieving medicine at the ready.
With more obstetricians intervening during childbirth, one would assume that this has made birthing more successful. On the contrary, Suarez's article makes it clear that there have not been such findings . Medical interventions have actually been known to make birth more risky. Why then, are we pushing the drugs?
Many women assume that obstetricians are the safest way to go when it comes to birth, but what role do obstetricians really play in the birthing process? Are they taking a valuable part of this natural process away from women? As epidurals and C-Sections have become more commonplace, are mothers-to-be missing out on an experience that Mother Nature wanted them to have?
