Even in rural Kansas, I look like an alien at a birth, with my goggles,
face mask, impermeable gown, gloves, booties and scrubs.  I'm mandated to
wear this garb or be terminated-I'm serious!  Sure, it also has to do with
OSHA and CDC guidelines.  We've had our share of HIV and Hep B infected
moms giving birth, even out here in the middle of the Plains where some
folks think you're safe from HIV and other diseases.

On occasion, I'll bring my 4 1/2 year old daughter with me to work for an
hour before I take her to our preschool at our church, which is two blocks
from the hospital.  I actually had our VP of Human Resources reprimand me a
few months ago because she came into my office while she was there.  It was
against written hospital policy to have my daughter at work with me, even
behind a closed door.  Of course, this is the same woman who refused to
make it a written hospital policy to promote and support BF among our
employees.  I made it an Education Department policy and any one who is
pregnant gets a copy of it.  We also did a big story on our department's
policy in the hospital newsletter and local paper.

Sure, both situations stink, but which battles does one fight?  By the way,
Virginia still comes to work with me on occasion, but not into the birthing
rooms.

Freezing Rain and ~~~~~~~~~~~Windy tonight...wishing I were with you Lisa
near the Pacific Ocean...

Maurenne Griese, RNC, BSN, CCE, CBE
Birth and Breastfeeding Resources
Manhattan, KS  USA
[log in to unmask]
----------
> From: Lisa Boisvert-Mackenzie <[log in to unmask]>
> To:
> Subject: CRUMMY BREAST PUMPS, HOSPITAL GIFTS, AND TECHNOLOGY
> Date: Monday, December 01, 1997 2:57 PM
>
> "In a perfect world, we'd have our babies in slings nursing
> while we worked, but I can't do that and help a mom birth a baby at the
> same time in America's society these days, now can I?
> <[log in to unmask]>"
>
>
> My son attended births on my back until he was 8 months old in the USA.
Here
> on Pohnpei, there is always someone to engage him/tend to him (nearby) at
> births. Yes it is possible to be a mom and help others at the same time.
>
> Lisa Boisvert-Mackenzie, Midwife
> East Caroline Islands, Pacific Ocean
>
> [log in to unmask]
>