These are the stories, read by tens of thousands of women, that play a part in shaping their perceptions/images/fantasies of labour and birth - it sounds as though she has tried to 'humorise' (and this may be her own way of dealing with) her own birth. She has brought up some very useful information that is relevent and pertinient (vomiting, passing a bowel motion, making noise in birth, disrobing). Touble is - it's all in the telling, isn't it? That she tells women that it wouldn't hurt to apologise to the doctors and (invisible midwfe) nurses is also telling. Just reaffirms the work that has to be done to support women, to develop and provide the services, so that women can tell it another way.
A good start for New Year! Speaking of which......... ----- Original Message ----- From: "Belinda Maier" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Pratt, Julie (FMC)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; "Philip Darbyshire" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; "emilia" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Monday, December 15, 2003 6:16 PM Subject: [ozmidwifery] Media influence on birth expectations > I thought this may interest you all, I love that she talks of the awful > things you do , it would scare anyone I should imagine, but to then tell you > to video it all?????? > > What no one tells you about childbirth > From Parents Expecting 2002 ( an information ((?)) mag for parents) > > > Vomiting due to low B/P after epidural also in labour without sometimes > > you make nasty noises > > you may have a bowel movement right on the delivery table. > > You act like a lunatic - especially if you haven't been given any pain > medication. > > Throwing off your clothes simply a common reaction to pain and exhaustion.If > you do lose it, don't feel bad. Doctors and nurses are used to reactions > such as these. (Still it wouldn't hurt to apologise afterward). > > Your mind goes blank > > > This litany of horrors you should know about ends with... "You're also > likely to forget many details of the birth itself, so be sure your partner > takes plenty of photos or captures it all on > videotape!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! > Also to finish off (and this is classic to show that this is all about the > reporter). > > It's not love at first sight. Don't feel bad if your first reaction to > holding your newborn isn't overwhelming joy. You've just been through an > exhausting experience and need time to recover. You can try breastfeeding - > then let a nurse take your child so you can get some rest. That's what I did > after 17 hours labour and a c section. But after an hour, I had them bring > back my baby girl and I was immediately smitten. > > Wow I would love to do a study on the journalists who publish these stories > as a catharsis to their own experiences! You know my birth was crap so all > of you should expect crap births! > > > > -- > 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.
