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Subject:
From:
"Kermaline J. Cotterman" <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Sat, 25 Nov 2000 13:35:36 -0500
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<On this thread, I recently viewed the AWHONN 2 volume videos {assoc of
womens health obstetric and neonatal nursing) on bf which I believe were
very favorably reviewed. My boss had purchased them to be shown to our
nsg
staff. I found alot that I didn't like in them. Namely, highly
medicalized
births, routine suctioning of babes, babes tightly swaddled and presented
to
mom at birth; and several other things. Unfortunatelty the scenes
depicted
are very typical of US birth scene.>

Laurie,

I have no financial interest in this video set, anything connected to it,
or "Breastfeeding Outlook", Marie Biancuzzo's meaty, information-packed,
reasonably priced 8-page quarterly newsletter for HCP's.
http://www.wmc-worldwide.com or e-mail at
<[log in to unmask]>

That being said, I recently had the privilege of writing reviews of both
segments of the video.
During this process, not only did I view each of them dozens of times,
but I made notes on certain scenes, side by side with the script, word
for word in those sections that gave me problems.

I also showed them to the members of our local Breastfeeding Coalition
and obtained written feedback to assist me in the selection of the 175
words Marie allotted me for each.

I concur that a great deal of what is commonly done by American maternity
caregivers is shown. That, after all is the primary audience for whom
they were made, and it begins where they are, to bridge to better
practices.

But your perception shows just exactly how powerful a deliberately
chosen, commonly seen, but negative video message can come across despite
simultaneous audio subtly pointing out the contradiction between practice
and the ideal.

(I realize that it would have been 'politically incorrect' to superimpose
a large black X or a circle with a crossbar over those scenes, but that's
what I wished for!)

There were numerous segments that pictured and explained the rationale
for delaying or altering such practices, but apparently they did not
stick in your mind or outweigh the scenes demonstrating current
widespread "un-baby friendly" practices.

The messages about sensitive listening and watching for baby's cues was
reinforced over and over. The role of the lactation consultant profession
itself was woven in skillfully, laying groundwork for individual LC's to
build on in their individual settings.

Excellent references by many of the "household names" in LC literature
were provided for those seeking more evidence based practice.

Everyone who watches will bring his/her own experience (or lack of it)
and worldview, and therefore may not reach the same conclusions on
(unguided) first viewing.

With skillful facilitation, educators, supervisory personnel, LC's and
other perceptive staff can challenge viewers to develop more sensitivity.


By selecting critical portions for re-viewing (by all staff
round-the-clock), they can point out how practice often departs from the
ideal, and help reduce conflicting information for mothers.

Discussions thus stimulated can include the subtle power of subliminal
messages in commerce, and be used to bring a meeting of minds,
reinforcing what the ideal messages are.

In this way, better breastfeeding protocols and cooperation between
various disciplines and departmentsand shifts can result, for years to
come.

I admit there were areas I personally found wanting, such as the
technique for hand expression, which just doesn't work for a lot of
mothers, especially in the first 48 hours. I think this video far
underrates the experience of sore nipples for many mothers, judging both
from my clinical experience and my vivid personal memories.

But all in all, there were so many other strong segments useful in
educating students of many disciplines at all levels, and updating HCP
staff, that the plusses far outweigh the negatives in my mind.

I congratulate AWHONN for it's leadership in aligning other professional
organizations and individuals to create this set. I believe this video
set can provide a giant step forward for U.S. maternity care, and for
anyone else in the world where healthcare has "bought in" to the
"brainwashing" that underlies many of our "western" practices.

Jean
********************
K. Jean Cotterman RNC, IBCLC
Dayton, Ohio USA

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