Why do I want to be heard so badly? What is it about me that drives me so hard to advocate for mothers and babies in childbirth?
Because of what I've seen. I've seen far too many moms fall victim to outdated care (and I've been one of them myself), whether from OB's, midwives, or family practicioners, with such huge regrets about their experiences, that I can't stand by and be silent anymore. I refuse to.
1 in every 3 moms will be induced. 1 in every 3 moms will have a c-section. The evidence shows that these interventions are doing more harm than good, which is in direct violation of the Hippocratic Oath that all medical professionals must take before being allowed to practice. If things continue as they're going, it's projected that by the time my daughters are old enough to be mothers themselves, they will have a 50/50 chance of a surgical birth. Will they want that? Will it matter then? Will women's rights be so overlooked then that it won't be an issue people are willing to fight for?
Why has natural birth fallen by the wayside?
Why do we think we need an entire hospital in attendance, with all the nurses, doctors, and anesthesiologists holding their breaths, "just in case" something goes wrong when we give birth? I've already talked about that in previous posts, but you know what? It still needs to be asked. I will keep asking it until the statistics show that women, and their choices for themselves, their births, their babies, and their bodies, are being respected. When I can see a mom go into her first prenatal appointment with any care provider and not worry that scare tactics and non-evidence-based care will be used on her and her baby, that's when I'll be quiet.
If you don't think this is a basic human rights issue, you need to take another look at the modern statistics, listen to the majority of women's birth experiences, where they felt either clueless, out of control, misled, or bullied (or all of the above), and then come back and talk to me.
This is a real issue. We're losing more women and babies every day to unnecessary "preventative care" than is excusable in any way. What happened to, "first, do no harm?" The evidence is against modern obstetrical care.
Where do you stand? What are you willing to do to make a change, for your female family and friends? Will you speak up? Will your voice be heard? Will you advocate for the women and babies in your life? Will you lend your shoulder to a mom who needs to cry about her bad experiences? Will you support a woman in her personal choices? Will you support the dads, too? Birth trauma doesn't just apply to women. Ask a dad who has watched his wife and child(ren) suffer due to unscientific, outdated care.
I won't be quiet. I won't keep it in. I will stand up for women and their choices. This is my passion. And it should be yours, too, if childbearing families are in your circle or family or friends. The statistics don't lie.
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