Midwives, remember these things about babies: guard and protect them in the
birth process; talk to those babies as you care for them, as you help them
to the breast, while you do their baby exams. I am constantly noting the
level of their response, even during little things like when I look a baby
in the eye and say, "What a fine looking baby." I invariably see a proud
and happy look appear on the baby's face. Advocates of gentle birth have
criticized painful birth practices, including injections and heel lancing
in the neonatal period. We cannot always avoid these things. However, when
I approach the baby, I always look at him or her first and say, "I'm sorry
honey, I have to stick your heel"-a gesture, at least, to the intelligent
newborn. It is truly said that midwives hold the future.
-Marion Toepke McLean, Midwifery Today Issue 32
Reprinted from Midwifery Today E-News (Vol 2 Issue 18 May 5, 2000)
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