Coach Smith here.

 

This isn't a new discussion topic. I wrote about this ten years ago!
http://www.bflrc.com/ljs/myths/gadgets.htm 

 

Please remember that there are risks in overuse AND underuse of technology
in childbirth and breastfeeding. Both are normal biopsycological events /
processes, and yet during both, things can go very far wrong resulting in
the death of infant and mother. 

 

Anthropologist Robbie Davis-Floyd has written about this at some length,
especially in "Birth as an American Rite of Passage." From her web site:
"Based on interviews with 100 women, this book identifies obstetrical
procedures as rituals, and analyzes the American medical system as a
microcosm of our society which seeks through these rituals to socialize
birthing women into the collective core value system of the technocracy."

 

If birth, breastfeeding and swimming always occurred normally, then we
wouldn't need midwives, obstetricians, lactation consultants, or lifeguards.
But even normal processes can go wrong. Lifesaving technology, effective
monitoring, and safety measures clearly save lives. Overuse of technology
distorts the joy of the participants and create complications that require
even more technology to solve.

 

As Susan wrote, scales (and Cesareans, chemical pain relief, and soap &
water) are not intrinsically evil. The trick for all of us is to use the
tools judiciously. Just because we OWN a sensitive scale doesn't make its
use necessary or even appropriate for every mother-baby pair. On the other
hand, NOT using an available tool when appropriate could put the mother-baby
in danger and increase risk of harm. 


Sometimes USING a tool does harm; sometimes NOT using an available tool does
harm. It's not about the tool - it's about knowing when and how to use it
effectively. 

 

Linda J. Smith, BSE, FACCE, IBCLC

Bright Future Lactation Resource Centre Ltd

6540 Cedarview Ct, Dayton OH 45459

937-438-9458 / fax 937-438-3229

www.BFLRC.com  

 


             ***********************************************

To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail
To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest)
To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
All commands go to [log in to unmask]

The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(R)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html