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 »
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 …
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 …
As the sexual revolution expelled it’s sex positive culture with ‘compulsory sexuality’, devoid of morals and responsibility, all we need is a yes and anything – anything- goes. Choking, and other violent acts of violation are becoming normalised as the pornification of society screams yes…even when they want to say no.
meanwhile, in maternity, The medicalisation of birth is marching fast towards complete dehumanisation. We can do anything, so we now redefine normal and slip all too willingly into a capitalist approach to reproduction. No longer about birth and transformation, women or mothers; babies are a product of an industry so focussed on yes, they have forgotten that no is an option. Just as the sexual revolution made sexuality compulsory, modern maternity has made medicalisation compulsory.
Across Australia, we are seeing the roll out of the ‘Safer Baby Bundle’. This is an initiative to reduce stillbirth. This is an obviously noble goal, with five key areas of focus in the form of hashtagable social messaging. The five key areas are: #Quit4Baby #GrowingMatters #MovementsMatter #SleeponSide #LetsTalkTiming As I explored the resources associated …
why the silence? One in three Australian mothers experience physical and emotional birth trauma. One in 10 emerges with post-traumatic stress disorder. For many it begins with induction. From there women are at risk of the cascade of consent. First time mothers have over 40% chance of induced birth. Between 2000 and 2016 induction of labour …
Why do we do as we are told, even if it seems ridiculous, if we perceive them to have authority? Dr Chris and Dr Xand set up an experiment (probably based on the Milgram Experiment).After seeing this segment whilst my children watched the Operation Ouch program, I was prompted to look into this phenomenon when it comes to …
Have you ever wondered why we submit to authority? Read More »
The medicalised approach to maternity leaves women feeling processed. It doesn’t have to be this way.
