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From:
The Jones Family <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Tue, 26 Jan 1999 23:58:57 -0700
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Several recent situations have started me thinking about how traditional
medicine and the natural birth/breastfeeding cultures (that is generally
shared by childbirth educators, lactation consultants, midwives, and
doulas) are diametrically opposed cultures operating, in many cases, in
the same arena.  It is no wonder that, while desiring and attempting to
do the best for our clientele, our values lead to conflict.

I am guessing that most people on this list (and am certain that this is
true of those of us who are the most vocal) share many values which the
medical establishment genuinely views as dangerous, strange, or
downright weird.  If I were to guess, I would guess that there was a
time when some, perhaps many, of us shared those views.

For example, I now view unmedicated birth, immediate exclusive
breastfeeding, private get acquainted time for families soon after
birth, respect for the baby's communication, his needs for security and
closeness to mom (not just any caring and concerned caregiver) as being
very important.  I regard the majority of interventions during
pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum to be unnecessary and
potentially harmful.  I believe letting babies cry in the nursery on
warmers or in cribs is seldom necessary and likely to be harmful both
physiologically and psychologically.  I believe that supplements of
formula or fortified breastmilk are seldom necessary.  It makes no sense
to me why premature and SGA babies are expected to gain weight from day
one and to grow at intrauterine rates, especially when this almost
always means giving non-human milks and force feeding with bottles.

The medical establishment holds values in many cases which are the exact
opposite of these views.  Many doctors, nurses,.and nurse practitioners
truly believe that to refuse routine tests and treatments such as
vitamin K and eye ointment, hepatitis vaccine, and glucose monitoring by
reagent stick for large non-IDM (infant of diabetic mother) babies
immediately after birth is foolish and likely to harm the baby.

It is no wonder that we oftentimes feel all alone in such an
environment.  It is not unlike suddenly finding oneself in a foreign
country, knowing only a few words of the language and little of the
cultural norms while holding tightly to one's own culture and language.
It will take a concerted effort on the parts of both groups to help us
achieve a common culture and a common language.  However, it will be
worth the effort, as it can only benefit our moms, babies, and families.

--
Bonnie Jones, RN, ICCE, IBCLC
from the sunny S.W. USA
mailto:[log in to unmask]

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