In a message dated 96-12-03 21:34:33 EST, Jack Newman:

>  That midwives would buy
>  into this nonsense should make us reconsider the wisdom of bringing
>  midwives into the establishment.

 Hi All,
While I certainly agree with Dr Newmans post about Beta Strep I certainly
DON"T (for emphasis) agree with the above statement, by any means.  I firmly
believe that midwives have a place in the medical establishment for many
reasons.
First of all, I think that many midwives (lay midwives, CNMs and those
working in hospital settings) can offer a level of care that many
Ob/Gyns/HCPs simply don't or can't offer.
Second, there are so many HCPs (OB/Gyns, Peds, etc) who don't know their
behinds from their front sides when it comes to BF, that it isn't even funny.
 If I remember correctly, the poster said it was Drs too who were believing
this baloney about B-Strep and no BF.  So should we oust them out of the
establishment too?  It would never happen.  They are Drs and midwives are
just midwives.  Never mind that it has been midwives who did the birthing
before male Drs came along and decided that they knew women batter than women
do.
Third, and last, EVERYONE (emphasis) in the medical profession has the
responsibility of keeping themselves well informed and educated.  Everyone in
the medical profession has their own personal beliefs about different issues
(whether they are accurate for educational content is where the problems come
in) and everyone has the right to make a mistake.  People in all fields of
the medical profession make errors in judgement, and errors in, what we
assume to be common sense, what is and is not OK with BF.  Most of these
people are simply ignorant of the updated, accurate information, and haven't
taken the time to educate themselves.

Am I miffed by the comment?  Yes, I am.  It is an unfair generalization about
a group of people.  IMHO, no one should generalize an entire group of
people/HCPs.  It would be like saying that all Pediatricians do not believe
in doing frenotomies.  Here where I live finding a Ped who will reccomend one
is like trying to find a needle in a haystack a mile high.  Personally, I
have 3 great midwives working with me on my pregnancy, and none of them
believe that B-Strep is a cause for no BF.

Jay Simpson, CLE
Sacramento, CA