Hi All
I have, for some time, been thinking about this issue.  In my town, whenever
a mother reports having been mistreated or having received innaccurate
information/ innappropriate advice, there is a loud cry of, 'What the mother
heard may not be what was said.'  It is often followed by a declaration of
the qualities (or otherwise) of the post-natal brain. I have to say that
this kind of declaration gets my hackles up.
Now, I totally understand that misunderstandings and misrepresentations
happen, as Heather has pointed out - and for this reason it is always
important to check out what has been reported.
However, where I live the 'What the mother heard may not be what was said.'
defense is used to close ranks and completely disregard the mothers'
experience and concerns.  (My experience with postnatal mothers is that
their trauma frequently makes their memories remarkably keen. They are
attentive to every comment made by their carers because they are so focussed
on learning to care for their new babes.) As a result change is usually slow
- and I hear the same stories repeatedly. 
When a mother claims that she has been treated poorly or offered
inappropriate advice or misinformation, her claims should be investigated -
every time - as a matter of respect for her.  This is not to say that we do
not respect Health Professionals - in fact, we respect them enough to
realise that they too can and do learn; that they want to help and not
hinder the mother.  If the problem turns out to be a misunderstanding, then
surely the HP wants to review their communication strategies - and will be
thankful of the opportunity to improve. If post-natal mothers do indeed have
difficulty processing information, then those of us who work with them need
to devise ways to communicate with them effectively. Surely we all realise
that the onus is on the professional to communicate effectively, to provide
accurate information and appropriate recommendations.
Cheers
Nina Berry BA/Bed(Hons) Dip Arts(Phil)
Breastfeeding Counsellor
PhD Candidate - "Ethical Issues in the marketing of 'Toddler Milks'"

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