I decided not to use 'psychic powers' as my subject because I don't think
one needs extrasensory perception to predict that women will have difficulty
breastfeeding after giving birth in hospitals that still haven't figured out
why doing formula advertising is at odds with their actual mission.  

I was glad to see Winnie Mading's post on the women who surprise us.  I've
been surprised more often than not, both in which women persist in
breastfeeding despite problems and which women decide that they've had
enough of it because they can't stand leaking milk from their abundant
supply when their baby is only a few weeks old.  All of this points up a
wise saying I learned long ago from my husband: it's difficult to predict,
and especially about the future.  

I agree with Winnie that we can't let our hunches steer our care.  I have
had hunches that someone will end up with a difficult birth and been
pleasantly surprised when it goes like a breeze.  I've thought women would
yawn, lift one leg and drop a baby and they've ended up with cesareans after
prolonged second stages.  I've had hunches that there would be a hospital
transfer for no progress in labor, and been right, and felt fine that we
started at home anyway, because who am I to tell someone that my hunch is
they'll end up in hospital, so why bother even aiming for a home birth?
I've searched my soul long and hard after the few occasions when this has
happened, and honestly don't think I communicated my doubt to the women in
question, thus possibly contributing to their difficulty.  I think it would
be grossly overestimating my own importance to think that would stop someone
in labor.

Mostly I use my hunches as a fun diversion, to see whether they are
fulfilled.  I like it best when I'm wrong.

Rachel Myr
Kristiansand, Norway

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