Dr. Tieman points out a reality in American birth.  The numbness to the
experience.  The desire to birth without feeling anything at all is pervasive.  I
have many ideas about the reasons.  The truth is Americans in general have no
desire for normal.  Normal birth, normal feeding, normal health care and
prevention of illness, etc. are not relevant.  We are a nation of faster, bigger,
better, more money, more gadgets, more control, more more more.  The idea that
normal is even a goal to obtain is not "American" mainstream.  No one wants
normal.  They want the biggest, best, most technological advanced possible, they
do not give two hoots about normal.  This is why I think the only way to
change things is to point out choices have real risks.  Real ones.  Not like the
anesthesiologist said to a client recently when she asked if there were any
risks "Who told you that?!  Epidurals are the cadillac of birth and no one should
do without one.  THey are 100% safe!"  Then, after she agreed to it, (which
her doc pressed her to have at 8 cm.) and she lay back down with tears in her
eyes because it was not really what she wanted, he said "Now if you start to
feel you cannot breathe, or numbness starts to travel up your chest, or ....."
Her eyes flew open and she exclaimed "but you said it was a 100% safe!" and he
said "oh don't worry, it will be for you, I just have to say this".  She
relaxed and accepted "it won't happen to me" like a teenager!

This is American mentality.  How do we fight it?  I am clueless.  But, I see
it everywhere.  Yes, breastfeeding is normal, but hey, check out this
breastmilk formula that they made, it must be even better because we all know science
beats the hell out of nature any day!  Nature is walking, science is a
Mercedes.

Take care,
Pam MazzellaDiBosco, IBCLC
FL, USA


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