It's been a while since I last blogged. Sometimes you have to spend extra time on family and life in general, so that's what I've been up to. I spent a couple of days speaking with lawyers which were recently recommended to me as a last ditch effort. No dice. A few of them were short with me over the issue. One was very nice and explained his office was not able to help. This took a toll on me for a few days as I realized I just lost my last chance at seeing my trauma issue and doctor in court. There were tears, sobs really. There *will* be a hearing at least in front of our state medical board of licensure and disciple. And I *will* be there when it happens. I hope a few of you who are local will join me as it will be difficult. Also this week was Chickie-Pea's 2nd birthday, and consequently the 2nd anniversary of my abuse. Those who don't understand birth trauma have an even harder time understanding the idea of a birthday being a trigger of any kind. I just ask that those who don't understand try to put themselves in our emotional shoes, TRY to understand just a little bit. When you celebrate a birthday of your little one, or big one depending on the year! When that annual day comes to pass, don't you almost always think back to the day you met that person? In a mom or dads case, the actual birthing event? Imagine that event and memory a traumatic one. Even though we love our children and they're the most beautiful and precious beings on this earth, their entry was not so amazing for some of us. And we are reminded of that event every year. I hear it gets easier over time. This year, it was hard for me knowing I no longer have a chance at court. Chickie-Pea's actual birthday was great though. We tried to focus only on her, which worked for the most part! Chickie-Pea, her brother and I went to a playdate in the morning while daddy slept and re-cooperated from a double night shift at work. In the evening, we took a trip to an ice cream shop! Because who doesn't love ice cream and playdates on their birthday!!! I had a few times throughout the day when I thought back to her birth. I just grabbed her tight and told her how beautiful she has become at the young age of two. I love her smile, her laugh, her hugs and yes, even her whines sometimes. I love when I pick her up from nursery or arrive at home from a meeting. She just gets this look of desperation with a sense of WHY DID YOU EVER LEAVE ME WITH THESE DESPICABLE PEOPLE YOU HORRIBLE MOMMY WHOM I LOVE SO DEARLY! HUG ME! Okay, I know. She's two and we need to work on the separation anxiety, but I love that she loves me so deeply. And I love that at two years old, she's still breastfeeding.
My goal with our first born was six months. Then one year. He weaned and I pumped for the next year for him to make it to two years on breastmilk. Chickie-Pea is still going strong which, of course, is annoying at times! Let's face it, sometimes I feel like a giant gerbil-bottle. Like this morning when I had to lean over the carseat so she could nurse. But then I'm reminded how wonderful it is to still have that bond and know she's still getting awesome nutrition. So all in all, it was a pretty successful birthday/anniversary/Easter. I hit low spots, and high spots. And Chickie-Pea had a blast all weekend!
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Guest Post: A Canadian mom recounts struggles with bad maternity care, depression, fistula3/22/2013 My name is Sarah and I'm from Ontario, Canada. Here's the condensed version of what happened when I had my first child, my precious son... I went into labour on July 31st, 2010, early in the morning the day we were moving to a new place. We managed to get everything moved, but around 4am the following morning, my contractions were every 5 minutes, so we went to the hospital. My water broke naturally about half an hour after we got there. They asked if I wanted to walk around, I said no I want to sleep, we moved all day....they let me, but that was the first and last time I was asked to move around. I told them I wanted to be informed when I had the opportunity to have an epidural. For the last two months of my pregnancy, I had horrific and I mean HORRIFIC sciatica because of the baby's position. This resulted in the worst effing back labour imaginable! But there I was, labouring on my back the whole time. Neither my mother or husband knew what to do to help and the labour nurse was utterly useless. I never got moved to different positions or was offered to walk around or anything like that, at any point. It went on like that for hours....they gave me nubane and laughing gas for the pain, so I was extra loopy and time slipped away and I didn't even think to ask for an epidural, I kept waiting for them to tell me I could have one because that's what they were supposed to do...finally I was in too much pain and my mom got the nurse and made the request. They went to go get the anesthesiologist but came back to tell me that he had been called away to the surgery floor and he was the only one on staff for the whole hospital, so I could not have an epidural. They gave me more gas instead and that was it. I had been pushing for about an hour and a half at this point. Then the OB finally came in for the first time, looked me over and decided he wanted to speed things up and felt he could do so by using the vacuum assistance. I agreed, having seen it used in birthing shows and it didn't look too horrible. I had also been told it had a far lower incident rate of complications than forceps. I was in a great deal of pain, pushing was not going well as I was not being properly coached. So he inserted it and it was the worst pain I have ever experienced in my entire life, overshadowing every other aspect of the birth from start to finish. A few pushes later and my son was born at 11:54am August 1st. The OB put in a lot of stitches and I was told I had been torn but not told how severely or given any aftercare advice that was different from what they tell anyone else. In short, I was treated like nothing out of the ordinary happened. I won't get into how bad the care for my son was because that's a whole different story, where he developed severe neonatal jaundice...but I insisted on being allowed to go home asap because the breastfeeding support at my local hospital is a joke, so I figured we'd have better luck at home. Again, no one told me there was anything unusual wrong with me. I was allowed to leave without having had a bowel movement. So we go home and two days later, I had my first postpartum bowel movement. It came on like diarrhoea for some reason, and I had to stop and hold it for a second so I wouldn't have an accident. As soon as I clenched my muscles to hold it in, I felt it pass through into my vagina...I can't even begin to explain what that was like....just, so effing awful....but I couldn't believe that it had really happened, I thought I was imagining it, there was so much other crap coming out of me (you know, all that postpartum gunk that no one warned me about...) I kept telling myself it was nothing.....our son ended up being admitted to the NICU at a different hospital and so were wrapped up with his problems and I ignored mine. The NICU nurses noticed how rough I looked while we were visiting our son and made me go to emerg at their hospital, but I ended up back at my local hospital anyway because our son was being taken back there too, so I was checked more thoroughly there...the OB who saw me (not the one who delivered my son) confirmed that I had a recto-vaginal fistula. I was told I had no choice but to have a diverting ileostomy right away. I was borderline septic at this point. My white blood cell count was through the roof. Normally they prepare you in advance for an ostomy surgery, plot out where they're going to place it, all that....I was such a bad case they had to hurry all that along. Hours later, I was in surgery. NOTE from Momma Trauma because I had to look it up, too: MayoClinic says, "A rectovaginal fistula is an abnormal connection between the lower portion of your large intestine — your rectum — and your vagina. Contents of your bowel can leak through the fistula, meaning you might pass gas or stool through your vagina. Meanwhile, my son was doing much better and got to spend some rare daddy-only bonding time as a newborn while I was in the hospital. I pumped and dumped as best I could during my week in recovery in the hospital, but by the time I came home, he was drinking more formula than I could produce, my milk was already slowing down to a trickle. I couldn't eat a proper diet because ostomy diets, especially for a new ostomy, are very strict, PLUS I was on pain meds and antibiotics for weeks after. I didn't know there are so many other things I could have done to save the breastfeeding and I ended up giving up on it. Muscle graft taken from this leg. So....here I'm thinking, ok so I have to live like this for a few months, this will all be over before the year is out. Not so much. It takes time to get into specialists, to have surgeries scheduled and performed and then to have to wait to see how things went. My first two surgeries (Jan. 2011 and March 2011) for the fistula were day surgeries, so fairly minimal, but neither was successful. The third and final repair surgery (end of August 2011) was a bigger deal. They took the gracilis muscle, which is the muscle that runs up your inner thigh and used it to repair the damage. It took a few months after that to be sure the fistula was repaired and in that time, found out I had developed a hernia due to the ostomy. So once they knew for sure I was finally fixed (had to have a dye-enema to check....that sucked), my last surgery was scheduled. Late January 2012, I finally had the ostomy reversed and the hernia repaired. 18 months of pure hell, from start to finish. This horrible incident affected every part of my life. There were many times I didn't think I would make it through. With every failed surgery, I resigned myself to a lifetime with an ostomy and depression....depression that at times, bordered on suicidal. It was so hard, not just for me but for my loved ones who have had to go through it with me. My son was deprived of so much because of the awful care I received. I thank god that he will not remember this time in his life and is now a happy, healthy almost 3 year old. In conclusion - I have always believed, and still believe, that the damage was caused by a number of factors during my labour delivery, but most significantly by the OB's use of the vacuum. I felt so strongly that I took my case to the College of Physicians and fought it as best as I could...to no avail. They ruled that while what happened to me was certainly unfortunate, it was not the doctor's fault and probably (although they of course can't say for sure) was the result of my flesh not adequately stretching to allow the baby's head (or something to that effect...all I can focus on is that they didn't take my side) but that what happened to me is very rare and basically, the kind of awful thing you hear about but hope will never happen to you. So sorry about my luck. I had the option to fight the decision but would have had to go to tribunal and fight them through a separate body and two years later, I just don't have it in me to fight anymore. So I've had to come to terms with the fact that I will never get vindication from this and I just have to move on with my life. But that's why I share my story - I believe what happened to me was entirely avoidable and I wish I knew then what I know now....but if hearing my story makes a difference for anyone else, it will have been worth sharing. Two of my biggest regrets in life are that I didn't stand up for myself more during my whole birth process and that I didn't educate myself better while I was pregnant. I thought I knew everything I needed to know...I mean really, who the hell thinks something like this will happen to you?? It really is rare what happened to me, but it does happen and I just can't stress enough how important it is to know what your options are. It has now been just over a year since my last surgery and I am currently expecting my second (And last!) child in July :) I will be delivering her via scheduled c-section and while I am still very nervous, I took special pains to do things differently this time. I've educated myself, made connections with other people with knowledge, learned about resources available and perhaps most importantly, opted to go with a very respected, high risk OB in a nearby town and deliver at the hospital there. I am hoping and praying that this time, things will be different, that I can finally experience a happy birth. But that's the big thing – I did NOT let my first experience stop me from fulfilling my dream of having another child. If anything, it made me that much more determined. And that's what I really want people to take away from reading my story – don't let external factors rob you of your dreams! I am proof that you can overcome adversity and go on to accomplish them! :) If you're in the "birth scene," you probably know by know that ACOG, or the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, has issued a new recommendation. The headline alone burns me up every-time I see it come through my newsfeed on Facebook. I had a ton of thoughts flood through my mind when I first read through the new recommendation, and honestly needed a little while to process those thoughts. So here's a few of them. Okay, my thoughts: On one hand, this is just a recommendation which is good, not a mandate. And I totally agree with the recommendation based on the fact that too many cesareans are done unnecessarily, but you probably already know that. On the same hand: Putting this recommendation out there could serve as a great reminder that cesareans should be avoided unless an absolute medical necessity. On the other hand lies the confusion between maternal human rights, informed choice and doctor knows best. I'm concerned that by putting this out there with the terminology of "maternal-request," that doctors will: A. Only think this concerns "maternal-request" cesarean deliveries. B. Use this as a crutch in their doctor-knows-all mentality. C. Use this to further the lack of choice given to mothers in their own care and that of their child. D. Use this to go even further and use more coercion and other forms of abuse or violence to force the mother to make a doctor recommended decision. Other thoughts: The article states: "Cesarean deliveries done at the request of the mother without a medical indication represent an estimated 2.5% of all US births." What about the other 97.5%? What about the fact that our national average for cesarean deliveries is wayyyy above the WHO's recommended allowance? Why does this have to be about "maternal-request" cesareans? Why is it pitting this on the mother? Why can't we talk about the greater issues at hand? It also goes into another issue: "Some women request cesareans because they fear childbirth pain, while others believe a cesarean will prevent urinary incontinence or preserve sexual functioning." They are probably very right in this assumption, but have no evidence here to back up the claim. Others request cesareans because they've been in labor for days. What about the moms who request a cesarean because they know their baby is a stillborn? I personally think most, if not all, moms should attempt a vaginal delivery. That's what evidence based care tells us. But I also believe in women's autonomy to make her own informed decisions. Clearly, ACOG believes there is an educational issue here, as well. Why not address that? Why not suggest prevention of moms requests cesareans? Or better yet, why not suggest prevention of OB/GYN's suggesting/coercing cesareans over vaginal deliveries? Why not teach them that natural childbirth is normal WHILE IN SCHOOL?!?!?!?!? Edited to add: I didn't realize at the time of this posting that ACOG also introduced another recommendation and I'm quite happy to see come through: "Suspecting a large baby is not a medical reason to deliver before 39 weeks, according to new recommendations issued today jointly by The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (The College) and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM)." What are your thoughts on this new recommendation? Random talk about my doctor appointment today. It went well; I'm glad it's over. There were tears. I wanting nothing more than to leave, but I'm glad I stuck it out. I'm still processing the appointment a bit and can remember every physical feeling. It really is like putting the victim right back in their abuse situation all over again, even though it was with a different doctor at a different office.
But, for now, I'm off to bed. I found myself just scrolling my newsfeed tonight on facebook and spacing out. I'm exhausted. So you think you are dealing with Birth Trauma? Did you experience something during the birth of your child that you would like to complain about? This second edition of Pillow Talk has some steps on writing your birth story, finding support, filing a complaint and making a difference for yourself and others. Of course this is not an exhaustive list of everything you can do as it is constantly changing, but it's a great starting point. Whatever you decide to regarding your birth trauma, make sure you do it for you! The steps you take are your own. Stay or get healthy (mentally included!) and do what would make you proud. Remember that there is no little step to healing. Each and every step you take is a huge step forward. What steps have you taken regarding your birth trauma and/or perinatal violence? What steps do you plan to take? Related Posts: I-Statements: Be heard in the professional world Decluttering birth trauma to understand your own story Momma Trauma's formal complaint letter as example Momma Eli always has the best ideas. In chatting with her last night, she suggested I upload the formal letter I sent to the medical board of licensure in our state. So, here it is with identifying information of all parties blurted out (sorry everyone!). I hope this helps in formulating your own letter. There are more complaint and letter writing aids listed at the bottom of this post. As always, if you have questions, concerns or need some guidance, don't hesitate to write! **Triggering Post follows under the dividing line, read with caution if you feel you may trigger** You may already know my story. This is just an example for those who need to see an example of a formal complaint letter. This, by no means, is perfect. It is simply: Here is exactly what happened, who was there, who I spoke to, what actions I have taken and what troubles I have had since the event. Reading through this again, I wish I added more "I statements" throughout such as: I felt violated and/or disrespected. But, I am confident they get the point from this letter. My case is currently awaiting an investigator through the board so it can go through the hearing process. Complainant Information:
Momma Trauma's Real Name Here, mother & patient Phone Number Address City, State, Zip Email Address Respondent Information: Doctor's Name License Number Practicing OB's Office Name Business Phone Number Business Address Business City, State, Zip Date: March 30, 2011 Witnesses: Full Names of Momma Trauma's Husband and Doula This incident took place: Name of Hospital, City & State COMPLAINT: After laboring at home for some time on March 30, 2001, I (Momma Trauma) arrived at (Name, City, State of hospital) to deliver our daughter (Chickie Pea). My husband (Zombie Prep Dad) and my doula (To be nicknamed later) were both present for the entire course of events. When we arrived to the hospital, we went straight to the maternity ward reception desk. I was far enough along that my contractions were between 1 and 2 minutes apart. Despite this, I was taken to a triage room and separated from my husband and doula. My doula and I asked several times (while separated of course) as nicely as possible to have the two of them join me, but the nursing staff did not allow them to come back. It was not until after asking them a lot, each time getting progressively more and more upset, that my husband and doula finally were able to come back to me. I was contracting quickly and painfully (hence why I wanted my doula!) and did not consent to a vaginal exam until much pushing the issue by the nurses who said they absolutely could not take me back until they checked my cervix. The nurses checked my cervix in the triage room and stated what I could have told them already, “Well, there’s not much cervix left!” We all then went to a deliver room. Once in the delivery room, I was left to my own devices with my doula as wished and we labored until I was ready to push (not long at all). While I was laboring, my doctor asked if there was anything they should know prior to Delaney being born and I muttered that my son had shoulder dystocia when he was born. At that point, the nurses started buzzing around faster when my doula and I overheard (Insert Doctor's Full Name Here) tell them the shoulder dystocia was medically induced, which was my fear during the entire pregnancy (and what I had expressed to the doctors during prenatal appointments) and the reason we chose to labor at home as long as possible. When I was ready to finally deliver Delaney, I was helped onto the bed and before I had a chance to offer my consent, fetal monitors were strapped onto my stomach and my legs were thrown open. I had made it clear I did not wish to labor on my back, instead wanted to labor on hands and knees. I also repeatedly told the nurse I did not want the monitors but they remained even though I said no. Dr. Bovelsky took his position at the foot of the bed to catch the baby. Right before I began to push, he inserted his fingers into my vagina for an exam. I not only did not want this exam but I had refused this exam. I asked him several times, again each time getting more and more upset, to “Get your fingers out of my vagina.” My husband and doula were also telling him to stop and get out of me. Finally, after asking him at least five times to “Get out of my vagina,” he stopped what he was doing but his fingers remained inside me and motionless. When he stopped, he said “You do not have to speak to me or my staff like that.” I told him one more time, “Get your fingers out of my vagina,” and he finally did and backed away asking me “Do you want to do this?” I immediately began pushing Delaney out and she was delivered shortly after. One of the nurses quickly stabbed my leg with a shot of Pitocin which I, again, did not consent to and explicitly said I did not want. They did no explaining of the Pitocin until after the fact. I am well aware that it has now been roughly 18 months since this event occurred. Since the birth of my daughter, I filed a complaint with the hospital and spoke with the head doctor, (Insert name of head doctor here), at (Name of OB office & city) both in person and over the phone. The hospital refused to admit any guilt, understandably so. I felt as if my concerns and my birth experience didn't matter to them since both baby and I were healthy after birth. I spoke to both the head maternity ward nurse and the patients’ relations person. (Name of head doctor of OB office here) did understand where I was coming from and made it a point to let me know their practice does not condone doing anything to a woman, especially in her genital areas, which the woman had not previously consented to unless it was an emergency. Birth is not an emergency in most cases, and it was not so in mine. Since the birth of our daughter, I have also experienced symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder per my therapist who I was seeing regularly for several months after the birth. This event took tolls on my sex life with my husband for both he and I. For several months after the birth, I didn't want a lot to do with sex with him as it was a trigger and would remind me of what had taken place. I have had other triggers resulting from this event, as well, causing anxiety, depression and crying spells. No woman should ever be treated this poorly. Birth is a beautiful, magnificent process that a woman should be able to take on as her own as it is her body alone birthing that child. No means no. I will take this matter as high as I need to insure no woman goes through what I had to endure. Since I have already spoken to both the hospital and Dedicated to Women, I will forward this letter to them as well. I expect to hear back about this matter within 20 days of this letter. Sincerely, Momma Trauma's real name here Related Posts: I-Statements: Be heard in the professional world Decluttering birth trauma to understand your own story Does rape during childbirth make it not rape at all? Upset. Frustrated. Sad. Confused. And a myriad of other thoughts and emotions with a string of obscenities. Chickie Pea's birthday is coming up, March 30th. It will have been two years to the day. Anniversaries are so hard when they come and go. I haven't even begun planning her birthday party yet this year, so it looks like we may have to have a belated party. Honestly though, Easter is the day after her birthday and my sister is getting married the next weekend... so it's pretty busy anyways. We might have a joint daddy/daughter birthday party the next weekend. I guess I didn't realize that if I started planning her birthday, I'd have to think about the day and subconsciously, I just don't want to go there. For the past year and a half, I have contacted RAINN, lawyers, the National Advocates for Pregnant Women, many other women's rights organizations, police, everyone I could think of, and no one wants to take it on as a case, or have the ability to because of state jurisdictions as was the case with the NAPW. I've talked and talked til I can't find anyone to talk to anymore. So I gave up. Now that the date is getting closer, I wish I hadn't given up. I contacted someone I knew on my last fleeting chance at finding a lawyer. He gave me some referrals, which I've been calling. The first was rather snippy about the statute of limitations coming up which would make it impossible at this point. The second politely listened to my story and explained that his office could not take the case for a variety of reasons, but he gave me a few things I would need to do to remotely have a chance at winning. I needed to:
I feel like I just lost the last fleeting chance at the possibility I've been clinging on to for over a year... The possibility of recourse for actions that should never have happened. I just broke down and sobbed to my husband who held me tight for dear life. He took me in his arms a few times this morning to slow dance to the music on the kids' movie that was playing, asked if he could cook lunch, it was very touching. (So if you read this hubby of mine, thank you.) After my conversation with the lawyer, I e-mailed the board of medical licensure for our state to ask if they, too, would be affected by the statute of limitations. I was called shortly after with a No, that has no bearing on the outcome of the complaint I filed (months ago....). Since creating this blog in November, I have come to know many activists who work directly with human rights involving women and childbirth. Heeding the lawyer's advice, I frantically messaged a few of the "top dawg's" in the field to see if they might know anyone, someone who can help find "the one" doctor who might be willing to testify in my case. There may be ONE! I'm waiting to hear back. Impatiently. Please oh please oh please oh please. I know I am not the only woman this has happened to, as not only I, but those who work in the field also have heard many similar cases. This must stop. I just want this nightmare to end. When did we lose our rights to tell a man he's not welcome in our vagina's? Or women for that matter, it happens with female professionals, too. I understand that it's not easy to wrap your mind around the "Why would a doctor do something that wouldn't be beneficial to the patient?" I do. But understand that even in the best case scenario and the doctor honest-to-God thought he was doing the right thing, if the mom did not consent to the procedure, that is then still considered a violent act. I'm not sure how I'll make it through Chickie Pea's birthday. I didn't realize it would be this tough. Related Posts: Empower Ourselves: My Story & Word Clouds Does rape during childbirth make it not rape at all? Stepping back to examine the Psycho The idea of “Birth Trauma” is relative; it is different from person to person. What happened to me may not have traumatized you and vice versa. It is also important to understand that nothing out of the ordinary needs to occur during childbirth for there to be psychological, maternal birth trauma. Case in point: It is common for mothers who were sexually abused prior to the birth of their own child to find that birth traumatic regardless of how that birth took place. I receive many messages asking, “Is this Birth Trauma?” Or even, “Do you think I have Postpartum Depression (or insert other disorder here)?” See, here’s the thing. I can’t answer any of those questions. I answer every message I receive with honestly and empathize with the person on the other end, because I have been in their shoes. Perhaps not in the same exact situation, but the premise is surely the same. I remember doubting myself, and not trusting my own ability to self-regulate and realize there was a problem. I remember writing those e-mails, too. Is this birth trauma? Holy cow… am I depressed? Is this anxiety? What is going on with me?? Yep, I have been there. The next logical question is: If you have been in my shoes, Momma Trauma, why can’t you answer my questions? I can help you work through your experiences so that you decide for yourself what is going on in your own mind. I cannot tell a woman who went through my situation that her birth was traumatic. Only she knows that for herself. Same goes birth workers who have witnessed traumatic births. Some carry on with no problem, others pause and need to decompress before they can continue on to another birth. As for the diagnostic issue at hand, this is one time I will pull the “I’m just a mom” card. Or in this case, just one girlfriend to another. I do not have a degree in psychology or counseling, so I am not able to diagnose anyone as depressed, anxiety prone or a myriad of other issues, and frankly, I don’t want to do so. What I can do, however, is lead you to resources and give you information on key signs to look for so you can empower yourself with knowledge and make decisions based on that information. That’s one of several major goals for this blog. I know that sometimes we have to be told or lead to the right answers because perhaps we're in denial. That's why we have fantastic counselors and support groups right in our own communities. If you need help in diagnosing a medical or mental situation, you should consult your care provider or counselor for more information. I hope, through this blog and other ventures, I can help give women resources for healing and empowering that they can use above and beyond counseling. I trust in life processes and that women know their own bodies better than anyone else. Was the birth of your child traumatic to you? Do you feel you have something more than Baby Blues going on here? If you’re asking me these questions, you probably already know the answer. When did you realize what you experienced was birth trauma or that you now that PPD, PTSD, etc? Did you seek resources before going to a counselor? Related Posts Acceptance: It actually happened, and it wasn't cool Does rape during childbirth make it not rape at all? Decluttering birth trauma to understand your own story More than Baby Blues: Postpartum Mental Illness Symptom Guide A new Ireland-wide consent document has been drafted by the HSE, or Health Service Executive, which “provides health and social services to everyone in Ireland,” according to their Website. ”There is no single national HSE Consent policy and supporting documentation on this issue. The aim of the NCAG is to develop one overarching policy for consent in health and social care,” according to the forward signed by National Consent Advisory Group Chair, Deirdre Madden and the National Director of Quality & Patient Safety Dr. Philip Crowley on May 18, 2012 The draft is quite comprehensive and goes into great detail to discuss the concept of consent, what is required to obtain and document such information and what to do should a person not be able to provide his or her own approval or refusal to treatment. However, it seems professionals became a bit lost on the idea of foetal personhood vs. the rights of the pregnant mother. Despite stating that all patients who have the capacity to make their own informed decisions, even if the result is their own untimely death just one paragraph prior, the document denies full rights of consent to pregnant women. It states: 7.8.1 Refusal of treatment in pregnancy This clause requires further understanding into what the Irish Constitution of 1937 says on foetal personhood. It states in 40.3.3: “The state acknowledges the right to the life of the unborn and, with due regard to the equal right to the life of the mother, guarantees in its laws to respect, and, as far as practicable, by its laws to defend and vindicate that right.”
It goes on to read that a pregnant woman has the freedom to travel between states, even if to find information on services otherwise allotted in those other states. Many women and midwives across the globe are being forced “underground” for their labors, and sometimes even their prenatal care. In some cases, women take matters into their own homes, in others, they leave the state to find appropriate care as was well stated in the recent Maryland hearing for certified midwifes. This new consent document could serve to further that situation as they may feel threatened by the “serious risk” that is not defined by this clause. On the same token, this new consent document, along with other Irish laws, dictate that parents have the right to make decisions for their minor children in regards to their healthcare. What makes this unborn child different than an older child in terms of parental rights? This new document raises a lot of questions for women’s rights. For example:
The Draft National Consent Policy has recently been questioned by advocates partly due to several Ireland-specific cases regarding the recent care of pregnant mothers including high court cases and deaths after C-sections. It is important to note that the process of “Actively Managed Labor” was created in Dublin, Ireland in the 1970s, a process that quickly swept the globe and “revolutionized” maternity care systems world-wide. This is the current preferred method of care one might find in most maternity wards. The final document was set to be completed after feedback was submitted by Sept. 2012. The draft, published in May 2012, has yet to be approved What are your thoughts on this draft? What if it is finalized as written? How do you think this could impact Irish mothers and mothers across the globe? Moms who had a traumatic birth, violence-free or otherwise, often have questions others moms wouldn't dream of asking. Such as:
I have thought all of those, and more, usually in rapid succession. I came across a research and educational organization which aims to answer at least one of those questions. APPPAH, or The Association for Prenatal & Perinatal Psychology and Health, mission statement reads: APPPAH's mission is to educate professionals and the public about, and advocate for, the life-changing discoveries made in the area of prenatal and perinatal psychology and health. APPPAH illuminates the life-long impact of conception, pregnancy and birth on babies, families and society. Perhaps it's not news to you, but those of you who know me well can probably imagine just how much I geek-ed out when I discovered this site. It kind of made me wonder: Hmmm.... What was my own birth like, did it cause any lasting problems? Because I have a few! Although a "new" science, I discovered the science of "Birth Psychology" stems back to Freudian research. (You know, the father of psychoanalysis and all? He talked a lot about child sexuality, libido, etc? Yea, that guy.) This idea seems to have had a few scientists interested in its research, but backed out for one reason or another. Eventually it picked back up again and has been studied regularly for at least the past 30 years. (See here for historical notes) Just how profound is this discovery of mine (at least for me)? According to their Website: In the last 25 years, the APPPAH Community has fundamentally: Okay, so maybe you're not nearly as big of a birth-geek as I am. But this is exciting stuff. They're researching person-hood, and no matter what side of that debate you're on, this is game-changer kind of stuff! They're validating my fear that my child might be affected by the trauma and violence I incurred during her birth, and possibly for the rest of her life. I know that's not something we want to think about, but it's real. And knowing about it will enable us to better assess a situation when it occurs. Like when I realized my PTSD had a name. I was then able to deal with it better, and cope. This research is just one of many reasons why we have to end perinatal violence. Check out this video to better understand what I'm geeking-out about here: Debates on person-hood aside:
What are your thoughts on APPPAH & their mission? Do you feel your child is now dealing with birth trauma related issues beyond any immediate physical damages? Do you feel anything you deal with is in direct relation to your own birth? |
AuthorWelcome to Momma Trauma's Blog! Thoughts, empowering posts and stories straight from Momma Trauma herself, Birth Trauma families & birth professionals. Archives
July 2015
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