|
A woman is vulnerable during labor. In hospital settings, they are often on drugs that further impair their judgment and ability to respond as they might otherwise prefer. Consent is often assumed. Women are not given time to process the implications and weigh the risks of the procedures that they are urged to undergo because the medical staff is focused on the health of the baby above any discomfort faced by the mother.
There is a small but growing movement of women who are choosing to have a doula present as they enter labor to provide emotional support and to help facilitate in the communication of their wishes to the medical staff. I have two friends who have attended schooling (beyond their bachelors in biology) and are professional doulas.
If you have an hour or so and are interested in gaining a bit more insight on these and similar matters, I recommend the documentary entitled, "The Business of Being Born."
__________________
"Sometimes I have to remember that things are brought to me for a reason, either for my own lessons or for the benefit of others." Cynthetiq
"violence is no more or less real than non-violence." roachboy
|