I am a CNM with 15 years' experience. I believe that women often give birth as they live. The problem is that we are trying to overcome a lifetime of fears and attitudes in a few months. I work in a community hospital that offers many alternatives to drugs for relief of labor pain, with a low epidural rate. But the majority of our clients still utilize drugs, even if only small doses of Nubain. This bothers me. I believe that my role is to educate and inform, then support a woman's choice, but I feel frustrated that so many choose drugs! They do utilize the birth ball, water, mobility, etc., but still want medication.
Then there are the few who are determined from the first visit to have an epidural, and are unwilling to even try other methods of coping. I feel sad that they have so little faith in their own bodies and the process of birth, but have not found any way to alter this attitude. Part of the problem is that many of these women don't want to alter their attitude, thanks to our pervasive cultural beliefs. Often, these women approach life in the same way, wanting to be numbed from pain and work, or have someone else do it for them.
I try to just let it go and chalk it up to personal preference, but I still have the nagging feeling that I could do more. Does anyone have any suggestions or experience they could share?
-Rose Evans, CNM
Reprinted from Midwifery Today E-News (Vol 1 Issue 20, May 14, 1999)
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