At 03:19 PM 7/22/96 -0400, you wrote:
>I'm doing a presentation on birth and am using the following survey as a tool
>to open up discussion.  If any of you would be willing or interested in
>filling it out.  I'd appreciate it.  All answers will remain confidential and
>no names will be used.
>
>Choose from the following
>
>SA = strongly agree
>A   = agree
>D   = disagree
>SD = strongly disagree
>DK = Don't know
>
>SD___ A properly administered epidural anesthesia has no negative effects on
>labor or birth and is a helpful tool in labor management.
>A___ Women act irrationally during labor and often do not know what to do
>during labor and thus need someone to coach or guide them through the
>experience.
>_A__ Among industrialized countries, the United States has a mediocre rate of
>infant mortality in birth.
>_SA__ An episiotomy is generally unnecessary and often harmful technique in
>birth.
>_D__ Despite their extensive medical training, obstetricians are often less
>qualified than midwives to attend births.
>_A__ Before hospital birth, birth was a very dangerous endeavor fatal to many
>women and babies.
>_D__ Electronic fetal monitoring is the most efficient and safest way to
>monitor the fetus during labor and should be used in all births.
>_D__ Home birth is the safest and best choice.
>_A__ I think birth is a risky event that needs close medical supervision.
>__A_ If labor has not started by 41 weeks of pregnancy, it is important to
>help get things moving.
>__A_ Hospital birth is the safest and best choice.
>_D__ It is advisable for women to remain calm and quiet during labor.
>_A__ It is all right for women to eat during labor.
>_SA__ It is safe for the bag of waters to remain intact during labor and birth.
>__D_ Labor and birth are extremely painful for women.
>_D__ Labor should last no more than 24 hours, and it is dangerous to allow
>labor to go that long.
>_A__ Lay-midwives are less qualified to attend births than certified-nurse
>midwives.
>_A__ Most births need no intervention nor do they require supervision by a
>medical attendee.
>_D__ Once a woman has had a c-section to deliver the baby, it is advisable for
>that woman to have any subsequent children by c-section.
>__A_ Squatting during the pushing stage is the most efficient position for
>laboring women to take.
>__A_ Technological advances in birthing practices have dramatically lowered
>maternal and infant mortality rates.
>__A_ The umbilical cord around the baby's neck is a dangerous situation.
>
>How many births have you attended/experienced? experienced 2
>
>Briefly describe your impression of each event. (Use additional paper if
>necessary)
>My first birth I had pit to be induced and then an epidural.  I lost my
urge to push and the baby had to be pulled out with forceps and I almost had
to have a C-section  Baby was jaundiced.  Even with pit labor was very long.
Had a large episotoomy
My second birth I had no medications.  Ate during labor.  Stayed at home
longer.  The entire experience was more enjoyable.  The cord was wrapped
around the baby's neck two times.  No jaundice no episotomy and would choose
that again in a second.  I had a large tear but that was 20 times better
than the large episotomy I had with the first birth.
>
>
>
>Before giving birth or witnessing a birth, what images of birth had you
>encountered? Please be specific in examples (movies, documentary films,
>books, paintings, etc....)  All images showed medications in hospitals,
women in pain, lots of medical intervention
>
>
>How would you describe the media's portrayal of birth?   Sometimes you see
a short delivery and then a baby - not very realistic.
>
>
Rose Marie Straeter, IBCLC
B.A.B.Y. - Breastfeeding Assistance for Baby & You
1214 Southfield Road
Evansville, IN  47715
812-475-0123