In a message dated 7/19/00 4:30:47 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:

<< I know many who advocate that
 couples discuss their strong feelings about the different aspects of
 labor ahead of time, tell their OB's/ midwives and inform the nurse on
 admission so that Mom will have advocates for the things she feels are
 important. And of course I hope you don't miss the inference that some
 OB's, ped's, etc. seem to suffer from some rigid predetermined
pictures,too.;-)
         I'm just musing that flexibility in thinking and willingness to adapt
 in new situations seems to make greater successes in the long run. >>

Jean, I think you are right about flexibility being the best way to handle
situations that one doesn't always have control over (or that one does have
some control over). Most couples come into parenthood with lots of
preconceived ideas/ideals that they may not always verbalize. I tell the
couples in my classes to discuss their birth plans, whether written on paper
or not, with their partners, OB's & labor nurses. They need to understand
that situations can & do change, which may mean that their birth plan may
change.

One of the biggest problems that I see is not that the couples themselves are
inflexible, but some HCP are rigid (as you said). It is such a shame when a
couple has a plan & the dr doesn't agree with it because he/she knows "what
is best" for them. I have seen many nurses feel threatened by a written care
plan because they think that the parents are trying to tell them how to do
their job. We need to teach the whole world to take a deep breath & relax!

Laura Hart -- staff RN mother - baby, lactation consultant & childbirth
educator -- who gets perspectives from many different angles & has learned
that there IS more than one way to do everything.

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