While researching an article, I stumbled upon a blog that has caused me to gasp and take pause. It’s the first of its kind that I’ve seen, written by an obstetrician whose goal is to debate current practices surrounding “natural” childbirth (quotation marks, hers), the midwifery profession and, with much froth and fervor—homebirths. Despite her medical degree and based upon her tone and stance, I am truly concerned about the author’s ability to reasonably and responsibly council her patients/audience.
Her presentation is aggressive, combative and judgmental; well beyond harmless ranting. Rather than truly debating these topics, the author—whom I’ll call Docblog—addresses the subject of natural childbirth advocacy as if its very existence is a personal attack on her and her medical profession. She refers to supporters of natural, unmedicated birth as irresponsible, reckless, and uneducated people who don’t know what they’re talking about. She is not furthering the discussion of responsible practices. She aims to end the discussion with hers as the final word. And, that I find most disturbing.
While it may seem unlikely that I might admit this, I am grateful to her for her belligerent confrontation of natural childbirth advocates. I am thankful, because I am reminded that anyone who attacks a debate from a defensive posture elicits my skepticism—as in, why all the bellicosity? Why are you so defensive? Where does this topic hit so personally that you lose all reasonability which would give any merit to the other side? And so, with my skepticism aroused, the gauntlet is thrown down to educate myself further. Truly, Docblog has reignited a desire in me to continue my inquiry into information about these subjects and their many associated perspectives. After all, in the legendary words of Francis Bacon, Knowledge is power.
Acknowledging Sir Bacon’s observation gives me pause to consider the many women I’ve met or been in contact with through this site who espouse a fundamental mantra in supporting natural birthing: Be informed. Be responsible. Be prepared. In my experience, it’s women who have actively sought out information about pregnancy, labor and birth that most often choose to attempt birth without medical interventions. Ask a woman who has chosen an unmedicated birth to define meconium, locate the perineum or debate the side effects of commonly used narcotics during childbirth, and she’ll do so without blinking. Many women who have chosen midwife-assisted care can cite the works of such groundbreaking practitioners as Dr. Grantly Dick-Read, Dr. Michel Odent, or Ina May Gaskin. If nothing else, these women are educating themselves, choosing to be active participants in the event of their child’s birth while benefiting from the specific knowledge and experience of a certified midwife or licensed doctor.
Yet, her cautions are not lost on me. Motivated by all of the Docblog’s criticisms of natural childbirth advocates, it must be clearly stated that:
Women should choose their health care provider carefully. Very carefully. Women interviewing a doctor or midwife should feel comfortable to ask as many questions as they see fit to receive the answers and reassurance they are seeking. When hiring a health care practitioner, one should always feel a level of strictest comfort and trust. If your practitioner makes you feel uneasy in any way, choose someone else. By its very nature, childbirth places women in an extremely vulnerable position both for herself and her child and, thus, requires that all practitioners be knowledgeable, trustworthy, and compassionate. In addressing Docblog’s argument that birth tragedies happen when the practitioner is found to be inexperienced or—worse—unqualified, I will make one last clear statement: of course midwives should be certified, credentialed and insured. That’s a requirement. That’s common sense. Hire a doctor or midwife that is qualified. If there are any doubts, investigate or make another selection. Otherwise, you might as well attempt it alone, and I would never advocate that.
In the end, the truth is —or maybe, more accurately—my truth is that truth is relative. A skilled author can cull together a group of facts and figures to support virtually any argument. Likewise, a capable debater can dispute a grouping of data simply by touting their own grouping of data. The trick is to be armed with enough knowledge, and not a little common sense, to wade through it all and draw an informed, deliberate conclusion. I have all the faith in the world that my peers are actively choosing to do just that.
Visit the homebirth debate for an in depth look at the chicanery that inspired this response.
Educate yourselves and your families. Make informed, responsible choices.