tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-887530111818728008.post167891200801999663..comments2023-04-09T07:04:57.405-05:00Comments on Roxanne's Wild World: Birth sans bendy strawsRoxannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17615766239849220912noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-887530111818728008.post-7680278151698356972010-03-28T21:41:46.115-05:002010-03-28T21:41:46.115-05:00Good words! I have confidence that you are attend...Good words! I have confidence that you are attending the whole woman (spirit, soul, and body) as you have opportunity, and I'm glad.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00563960366063120773noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-887530111818728008.post-1401586430910812282010-03-26T10:56:24.486-05:002010-03-26T10:56:24.486-05:00Good point Julie! Yes, I TOTALLY respect the amaz...Good point Julie! Yes, I TOTALLY respect the amazing women who gave birth! I think of the mom who walked in to the clinic alone, carrying a bucket of rags for the delivery, hopped up on the delivery table, was found to be complete, and pushed out twins fifteen minutes later. She was amazing, and her outcome had more to do with her and her great attitude than the midwife's skills or instructions.<br /><br />I think the stoicism may be a product-and a defense mechanism- from cultural attitudes and practices toward women at large, from long before a woman comes it to the clinic give birth. Understand these are women who were circumcized with a razor and no pain killer when they were anywhere from 1 year to 12 years old. That in itself can totally cause someone to shut down emotionally and force them for life into stoicism just to cope with their reality. By the time they are being told to grab their ankles and push a baby out they may have a different take on that experience than an American woman who has been pampered all her life would have. I got the idea that in spite of what we would consider sub-standard treatment, they see themselves as some of the priviledged few because they actually make it to a clinic versus giving birth outdoors on the ground in a village somewhere. <br /><br />So, yes, I do think they do have a lower standard of what good care is, because they have never seen or experienced anything better.<br /><br />And yes, just like everywhere, when women become more educated and informed about the possibilities, I think they will be able to affect change over their choices and conditions. I also believe that a woman's belief system affects this as well. When she comes to realize that she is created in the image of God and loved and valued by Him, she sees herself as worthy of better treatment and less of a victim, in every area of life, including birth.<br /><br />So, in my opinion, it's not just about getting a woman to be more verbal and demanding about choices in birth, but going much, much deeper -and earlier- in so many areas.<br /><br />I am only beginning to understand how deep.Roxannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17615766239849220912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-887530111818728008.post-22010111845275848672010-03-26T10:12:08.595-05:002010-03-26T10:12:08.595-05:00What about your respect for the poor women who are...What about your respect for the poor women who are stoically grabbing their ankles and doing the pushing! They're not asking for a bendy straw (or an epidural)! Interesting thought: is this kind of stoicism a result of poorer conditions, or could this very attitude be what keeps them from moving forward into the more modern world of maternity care. In other words, if they were more demanding, would changes be made? Can changes be made to that cultural mindset? Blog on this!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00563960366063120773noreply@blogger.com