The story so far... not without frustration

Since registering, I have had the opportunity to be with a number of women, all of whom have shown strength that has driven me to follow my instincts and believe in birth. Unfortunately, as it stands at the moment, 0% of the woman I have been with have had a normal vaginal birth. I could allow myself to feel disheartened by this however its fuelled me with a fire to question everything and use my voice for the good of the women, despite the pressures of the system.

Three women I have followed through have had elective sections. I have been careful in the way I have worded this because it would be easy to say that they have 'elected' to have section. Given the fact that I was told at the beginning of each of my shifts that these women were booked for sections, I soon became aware that the option of a vaginal birth may not have even been provided as an option. Go figure...

Of the two other women that I have cared for through to the birth, one was induced shortly after her due date for a 'large baby' and the other augmented for no good reason after spontaneous onset. One more section and a forceps (which could have been a section but I fought with all costs to prevent this).

I am frustrated by the 'limits'. Why is there the need to bring about labour and birth so unnaturally? I have always been of the mind that intervention is utilised because it is there rather than because it is needed and its strikingly and blatantly clear that this is so much the case. The reason given always seems to be the same, intervention = baby in arms quicker, however what isn't discussed is the risks and likely result of surgical or instrumental birth. I wonder what women would have to say if this information was laid out in black and white and not given as medical jargon? I would like to think that some or all would have the strength to say 'no'. I will later discuss my intentions for trying to make a difference to this reality in my Honours project. Something that is very passionate to me and will be primarily focused at giving women back the power.

In all of this I have been eagerly awaiting the opportunity to work at the early antenatal end and provide the options that are obviously not being provided. Today was my first opportunity and I am ecstatic to say that even with the widespread perception that its a woman's choice to choose intervention, even though when provided with an alternative, they tend to go with the alternative. This means giving the truth and not the 'biased truth'. In a job where we strive for woman-centred care but somehow fall short the majority of the time, women can be empowered to decline "routine" screening, "recommended" stipulations and unnecessary interventions. It was a great day :).