|
This has been a really interesting discussion, and it's
prompted me to think about the kinds of information we give to women, and when
we start to assume the role of educator, overseer, teacher, one of authority, or
whether we maintain the role of facilitator, and how that has an effect on
women's confidence with early parenting. Interestingly in independent
practice, I have no recollection of either showing women how to bath their baby,
or of women asking me to show them. I wonder if this is to do with
the relationship, or with the implied inference that the women will take on that
task, or responsibility themselves, or if it is just because I'm not
normally there when they decide to bath their baby for the first time. I
don't know, and I mean no disrespect with this post, just random
thoughts.
I suppose the first bath is something we see as innocuous,
educational, a chance to give information, and yet, maybe it's an
opportunity to stand by and just give lots of positive reinforcement about
how sensible the parents are, and how they don't need us to show them how
to bath/change/feed their baby, but to know that we're around for support
if they need it. I think I'd be mortified if someone implied I
couldn't bath my own baby - what else might I not have the
resources/ability/confidence to do??!!! (of course, different if the
woman has had a difficult birth...)
Sorry for the ramble, just wanted to add...
Tania
x
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, March 04, 2005 5:39
PM
Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] newborn
bath
I work in an area with policies on how to conduct
a normal birth. Even an inservice coming up on "How to conduct a normal
delivery!" This is hysterical, admittedly I will not be
attending. To make it even better the "midwife" conducting the inservice
believes that any babies born not on the bed will die!!!! Her exact
words were " you need to tell that woman that her baby will die if it is
not delivered on the bed". If I hadn't been so shocked I would have
said something along the lines of mothers birth their babies and midwives
assist them, no babies are delivered. All the storks that used to
deliver babies seem to have moved on to something else.
Sonja
-- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, March 04, 2005 12:08
PM
Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] newborn
bath
Re NB Bathing.
For midwives we need to bear in mind the baby
is covered in body fluids until after a bath. It is recommended that we
observe universal precautions unitil after the baby is bathed.
For parents. Safety first. Some parents do like
a 'step through'. It is good to ask first. Hospitals are intimidating and I
have had mothers of 4 children ask me for a bath dem. What have we (society)
done to these women? It is that general fear of 'doing it wrong',
particularly in unfamiliar circumstances and on someone elses turf. I like
emphasise that as long as it is safe there are no rules and regulations.
Sometimes I think we have too many policies and
procedures. Some hospitals have policies or guidelines on how to manage a
normal birth. Come on, midwives are educated. Same for the general public,
they know how to wash themselves and ten year olds can bath younger
sibs. It is all about attitude.
Jenny
Jennifer Cameron FRCNA FACM
ProMid
Professional Midwifery
Education Service
0419 528 717
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Thursday, March 03, 2005 3:52
PM
Subject: [ozmidwifery] newborn
bath
Dear List
Updating policies at our workplace and
seeking any written policies that can be shared on bathing newborns. I
doubt if there is any but if anyone is aware of any written papers on this
topic this would also be gratefully received
Cheers
Alesa
Alesa Koziol
Clinical Midwifery
Educator
Melbourne
|
