On my last post I asked what my wonderful readers wanted to hear about (cause I have so many). I will answer them all but this one question really stuck out in my mind.
Bethany asked:
"There is a huge movement towards midwifery and natural childbirth and all things UN medicated in pregnancy (like Ina May Gaskin). What do you think? Did they teach you this in school at all? Also, would you prefer non medical interventions in pregnancy?"
Initially I wanted to answer it two ways, as a mom and as a nurse, but soon realized I cannot and do not want to separate the two. So here are my thoughts.
I think natural childbirth is amazing, and have been present one of the two times my amazing sister, Jessica did it. She was never in agonizing pain, she kept her cool, and she and her girls had wonderful outcomes. However, anyone who knows us both knows we are polar opposites when it comes to deliveries. Because all three of my births have required lots of intervention. With my first I was induced 12 days
past my due date only to end up with a c-section. With my second I elected to have a c-section at 39 weeks because 12 extra days is very unpleasant. I did opt to try a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) if I went in to labor before 39 weeks, but that did not happen. With the third I had lots of medical intervention. With having had gestational diabetes and needing insulin I got lots of extra tests, ultrasounds, monitoring and appointments. Then I got a unexpected early delivery date with even more medical intervention than the other two for me and baby Ella.
So to answer that question is hard. In the perfect world there would be a home like birthing center located down the hall from an OR. Cause I believe that childbirth should be a natural process. Really. Deep down in the bottom of my heart. But, with all my deliveries I am reminded that prior to all the medical advancements it was very common for women to die during childbirth. Or for more children to have birth-related-disabilities, or be stillborn. And I think midwives can be wonderful. As we all know the majority of laboring is done with the nurse, not the doctor, so to have a midwife (who is basically a nurse that is super-specialized in labor) with you that is awesome. Of course I do believe they should be overseen by a physician, and that you should have at least one visit with that physician. But it really doesn't matter because in Missouri they aren't "legal". Not to say they aren't around and used, but that is a whole different story and I think there are efforts going on to change that.
And as far as what they teach us in nursing school - basically the least amount of intervention possible to get the best outcome. So if I were (and hope to be someday when my kids are older) a labor and delivery nurse I would like to think the way I would practice would be to have everything prepared and ready for the worst case scenario, that way I never have to use any of it. Does that make any sense?
One last comment, when I was induced with my oldest I did have an epidural. I have NO objections to them whatsoever. I think some people cannot remain "in control" when they are in pain. And when it is all said and done, no matter how they get here, they are a precious child of God that we delivered and that is all that matters.
