The following is an excerpt from The Birth Map: boldly going where no birth plan has gone before The medical terms used to describe pre-labour caesareans are ‘planned’, ‘elective’ or ‘scheduled’. Any in-labour caesarean is deemed an ‘emergency caesarean’. However in the interests of clarity, there are degrees of urgency. From ‘Pregnancy, Birth and Baby: …
In this video, I challenge a recent paper, “Second Victims in Maternity Care – The Hidden Fallout of Parental Birth Plans”, that raised some concerns for me. Hidden? or non-existent? or disrespectful? The merging of consent with compliance is alarming. You need to comply/consent, or you’ll hurt the feelings of the one seeking your consent/approval. …
Is there such a thing as forced professional passivity? Read More »
The strength of a Birth Map is found if our journey needs to detour. Considering some of the more difficult pathways in advance, can help us immeasurably in the event of adversity. You may have heard that birth plans set us up for disappointment…there are some common mistakes made when creating a birth plan, which …
We are seeing bundle after bundle rolling out to improve care and all they seem to do is increase paperwork and scare The bundles are a bungle of tokenistic action despite well established solutions that would cost but a fraction! There are two bundles in recent times that have been cause for concern. The first …
In the healthcare context, our language can have a big impact – including a nocebo effect. Whether we are focused on risks or benefits, recommended care or alternatives…the fact remains that there is The Decision belongs to one impacted (in maternity care, this is the pregnant woman). The words counsel, shared, persuade and consent are …
Preparing for Birth is like preparing to climb Mount Everest, but with much more chance of success and a lot more warmth! When climbing Everest, a Sherpa is an essential part of your team. They know the landscape, the climate and remain calm and alert. In Birth, a doula is like a sherpa. The doula is familiar with the location, the people and the physiology, remaining calm and alert, guiding and supporting you.
This is the story of a Birth Plan that was not used. A Birth Plan that was carefully made, was informed and detailed, but was never even looked at during the birth.This is the story of a cup of tea, left to go cold. Rebecca* was determined that her birth would not ‘go with the flow’ , …
You may be familiar with Robert Frost’s “Two roads diverged in a yellow wood”. This pastiche looks at two options emerging in a birthing ward.
Imagine if we were decision focused instead of consent focused.
Imagine if we supported physiology rather then relied on technology.
It’s easy if you try.
Our current approach to maternity is far short of what the minimal for maternity should be. In a society that values mothers, we would see a minimal standard based on compassion, connection and confidence. We would be celebrating and honouring the transformation, and doing everything we could to ensure women transition whole and powerful. We …
