Hi Sue, Delighted to see you back on the list again and back with birthing and babies :-) Last I had read from you was a big dump and distraught feelings, which I interpreted as a sad loss to the homebirth arena - glad you are back into it all again with passion and enthusiasm.
I feel compelled to respond to your previous comment "What are some of these parameters we use to judge normality with?" I'd like to suggest that one of the ways changes are effected is by consumers. One of the biggest impacts on consumer attitudes is books. One of the most popular books in recent times has been "What to expect when you're expecting" Working as I do at grass roots with mainstream couples I have observed that the more they read of "medicalised, pulled apart, reduced both in size and importance" type of books from the US instead of reassuring, positive, insightful, empowering books from the likes of Janet Balaskas and Sheila Kitzinger in the UK, the more the consumers are frightened and expecting severe complications and problems. Where are the good aussie books about birth? We need to see a lot more of these... anyone writing the next birthing bestseller?? Hug Julie Julie Clarke CBE Childbirth and Parenting Educator ACE Grad-Dip Supervisor NACE Advanced Educator and Trainer Transition into Parenthood 9 Withybrook Pl Sylvania NSW 2224. T. (02) 9544 6441 F. (02) 9544 9257 Mobile 0401 2655 30 email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.transitionintoparenthood.com.au -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Sue Cookson Sent: Thursday, 30 October 2003 11:30 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [ozmidwifery] High heads/ pain free ??? Hi all, Just following the drift. High heads at term and pain in labour, c/section for breech, post dates... Can't help being cynical. Sometimes when you drop in on this childbirth line, it seems that everything that once was normal has now been medicalised, pulled apart, reduced both in size and importance and made plainly unreachable by most women. What are some of these parameters we use to judge normality with? What a long way we have stepped into fear and paranoia around childbirth in such a short time. Even the last few years have seen a marked difference in responses on this line, in my opinion. >From a mother of 4 children born at home, including one double footlings breech baby high at term, one to 44 weeks, one pain free childbirth (just a lot of laughing and mucous), and two not attended by anyone apart from family. I guess I was lucky? The fringe (of normal birth) just gets smaller and smaller..... Sue Cookson -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe. -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.
