> I find it somewhat ironic that when I worked in a hospital, the staff
> =
> expected mothers to come in with some knowledge. In other words, moms
> =
> should learn about childbirth and labor and breastfeeding ahead of
> time =
> in order to have an easier time of things.

However, I've found that some doctors and nurses are uncomfortable with
moms having "too much" information.  One of my requirements for
becoming a childbirth instructor was to complete interviews and tours
at local hospitals.  The first nurse I interviewed provided me with
some interesting insight.  She mentioned that when a woman arrives with
written birth preferences, the nurses joke about how long it will be
before that mom has a c-section.

This nurse went on to say that women who have too many preferences
about their births might be setting themselves up for a disappointment.
 She mentioned that it's misleading for women to think they have
control over their labor and birth.  She seemed a little taken aback
when I pointed out that induction, monitoring, etc. are attempts to
control labor!

Anyway, my impression is that this staff is not able to, or prefers not
to, deal with women who plan on limited EFM, no routine IV, delayed
newborn procedures, etc.  I left that interview feeling that moms are
discouraged from making their own well-informed decisions.

Deborah Lilly
Provisional Bradley Instructor
Holland, MI


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