Keesha posted for the first time on Lactnet with 'Thank you for the
inspiration' as the subject line.  I want to say thank you, Keesha,
for a reminder of why we keep at it.  To read that you were so
influenced by watching someone help your friend get started
breastfeeding that it changed your life and empowered you to get the
care you knew was best - well, we all need to hear that now and again.
from Keesha's post: "I dont know that lactation consultants name 16
years ago but she started for me, a lifetime of possibilities. I would
love to tell her thanks but instead I will take this time to thank
everyone who has helped new moms ."

We're having another tiresome discussion here in Norway about resource
allocation in the maternity services.  There's a move afoot to make it
standard to offer every woman an ultrasound scan in week 10, in
addition to the current scheme in which there is a routine scan to
establish a 'sure' due date in week 18.  Aside from the complete lack
of evidence for any improvement in birth outcome, there is also the
question of cost.  I'm sure that if a week 10 scan is implemented, it
will be financed by further reducing support to new mothers both in
hospital and in the community, because that is always where the cuts
are made.  Though, given the state of affairs now, I don't think there
is enough left to cut, to cover those scans, even if they completely
stop following up newborns and mothers.

Meanwhile, mothers still think that what happens after the baby's
birth is at least as interesting as what went before  - aren't they
SWEET? -  and some of us are placed so that we get to be with them in
that phase, providing meaningful care that makes a difference.  I take
hope from Keesha's post, that we can convince health planners to view
postpartum care as IMPORTANT too.

Rachel Myr
Kristiansand, Norway

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