Linda Smith, you are so right that what we are seeing with moms and babies is
a system problem.  And the problem isn't just discharging them too early.

I'd like to pursue this from the angle of whatever happened to natural
childbirth?  Anybody else out there remember the 70's, remember childbirth
conferences that were exciting and cutting edge in terms of demanding and
creating real changes, and raising women's consciousnesses about their
empowerment vis-a-vis OB-GYN health care?  Hey, anyone out there old enough
to remember "Vaginal Politics"?.    What the heck happened?  How did this
very positive movement get de-railed (to keep with our train analogy) and
co-opted by THE SYSTEM?

From what I can see, except for the very few free-standing birth centers,
giving birth today is every bit as barbaric as it was in the 50's.  Hospitals
have tarted up their look with pretty wall paper and pictures, husbands
present (in the role of innocent bystander), and special candle-lit dinners
are served p/p.  It's all window dressing.  Birthing women are still being
assaulted with invasive technology that leaves them damaged physically and
spiritually.  No wonder they are unable to cope with  BF difficulties (which
they wouldn't have in the first place if it weren't for  all the unnecessary
interventions)..

I see clients who are intelligent well educated young women who think they
had great birth experiences because they didn't feel any pain (except for
that pesky 3 rd degree tear that takes 2 months to heal).  My tongue is
getting sore from biting it all the time.

Mary Cummins, M.Ed., IBCLC
rantin' and ravin' in Scottsdale, AZ