RE: US birth experience

[Guest guest]

They may have done a Bradley course or Lamaze. The big difference between

these courses and what the NCT does is that they have their own birth

method that they teach, rather than the " informed choice " philosophy of the

NCT. They don't seem to do any campaigning for better medical services,

and they are really just used with giving birth in a birth center setting

rather than hospital. They also don't have the postnatal support structure

of the NCT.

There doesn't seem to be anything to help women get through a traditional

hospital birth if she wants to do something different from the standard.

With the set-up of the insurance companies, very few women in the US have

access to anything other than a high-tech birth. Where I live, there is

one tiny birth center in a really inaccessible part of town. My OB/midwife

practice doesn't have " priveledges " there - just a two hospitals, one high

tech, and one even higher tech. When my British friend recently gave

birth, her L & D nurse of 10 years experience told her she was the first

person she had seen who hadn't given birth on her back! It's a really

frustrating system because most women think it is fantastic - they get

induced so there's no need to make contingency plans for older children, no

mad dash to the hospital. They get the epidural basically straight away

and just while away the next 12-24 in bed while the nurse in monitors her

labour from afar.

No complaints about the NHS from me. It is fantastic as far as I'm

concerned, warts and all.

Joyce (Ohio)

-----Original Message-----

From: kbholm@... [sMTP:kbholm@...]

Not sure about an NCT in the US (perhaps Phyllis would know), but

there are alternative movements I think, at least SIL and my brother

went to a " natural " antenatal course where they got some of the ideas

for their birth plan (the rest they got from my birth plans - which

where perfectly well respected by the NHS over here).

But it seems to be very 'either or' over there - either totally

natural or totally medical. As reflected in Naomi Wolf's book too.

Karina

[Guest guest]

Hi Joyce

That was interesting; but I was wondering then, presumably people

rely on their existing friends/relatives for support after the birth?

What is the incidence of PND over there - which we might expect to be

quite high if many very high tech births. Or is it a question of

attitude; if you are expecting a high tech birth you don't feel

cheated?

Caro

>

> There doesn't seem to be anything to help women get through a

traditional

> hospital birth if she wants to do something different from the

standard.

> With the set-up of the insurance companies, very few women in the US

have

> access to anything other than a high-tech birth.

[Guest guest]

Yes, most of the support comes from friends/relatives/neighbours. The

baby's pediatrician also is an important resource - people seem to rely on

the doctor here for everyday advice, far more than in the UK.

No idea about PND, although it does seem that every other person is on

anti-depressants, although I've always put that down to their extreme

reluctance to drink, LOL. But I don't think there's an awful lot of

anguish among the 90%+ that go along with the culture for high-tech,

managed births. I don't think many feel cheated (unless the epidural

didn't take properly), because that's what is normal and expected here -

they read it in " What to Expect when you are Expecting " . The only mums

that have a problem with the system are those who want to go against it in

an area where there are no alternative facilities and attitudes (like the

whole of Ohio, outside Amish country).

Whenever I've mentioned that I had my children at home, they think it's

because of the failings of " socialized medicine " and the lack of real

hospitals as if we are from some third world country. An uphill struggle

for me, I think.

Joyce

-----Original Message-----

From: Caro Heyworth [sMTP:heywortno3@...]

Hi Joyce

That was interesting; but I was wondering then, presumably people

rely on their existing friends/relatives for support after the birth?

What is the incidence of PND over there - which we might expect to be

quite high if many very high tech births. Or is it a question of

attitude; if you are expecting a high tech birth you don't feel

cheated?

Caro

[Guest guest]

Ohh, this is a bit worrying.

Do they not have midwives visiting or anything?

I know my SIL in Chicago does not have any family support (her sister

is in New York with a young family of her own, and her mother is not

very well). She has my brother of course, but I think he's gone back

to work now. I don't want to intrude, but I know it must be tough and

I think she is going to feel that she has to cope.

Perhaps I'd better have another word with my brother, to make sure he

takes more time off if she is finding it hard. He should be able to

if he has to I think.

Karina

> Yes, most of the support comes from friends/relatives/neighbours.

The

> baby's pediatrician also is an important resource - people seem to

rely on

> the doctor here for everyday advice, far more than in the UK.