[geeks] baby stuff

[Beth Roberts]

For what it's worth, here are some of my pontifications about birth and
related stuff:

- the drugs they give (sell, push, encourage) you during labor aren't good
for the baby, and carry lots of risks and consequences for both mom and baby
(but just try to read the fine print in between contractions, hmmm?).
Everyone deserves a truly *informed* choice.

- it's possible to have a hospital birth without drugs or even an iv. I know
because I did it three years ago. I was sort of religious about my desires
about avoiding drugs, even. At one point I asked to be shot, but I did not
ask for drugs. Yay, me. No, I don't get a medal. I have some pretty intense
memories, though. Yes, I would have done some things differently (like get
out of bed, work more with my body, blah blah blah I'll shut up now sorry).

- the feeling of relief after the sudden end of the most powerful pain in my
life (to date, and I hope it stays that way) was incredible, but I would not
describe it as sexually gratifying in any way whatsoever. That's just my
personal take on it.

- homebirth with a midwife is a reasonably safe and economical thing to do,
provided that you are low-risk and all that good stuff. If I ever have a
kid, this is the way I want to go (and I want a hot tub available, dammit!).

- a person who is pregnant has the responsibility to become informed about
birth - the options available, and risks and so forth. A woman only gets to
go through a given birth once, and she'd better make sure she's as prepared
as she can be, whatever that means for her. There is a *ton* of really great
info out there - websites, books, etc. Read like mad, is my advice, then
reflect and start making some choices.

- people who choose "unassisted birth" are playing Russian roulette with
their lives and their babies' lives. I predict that it will eventually be
outlawed in this country because of irresponsible people who end up with
themselves and/or their children dying when they otherwise could have lived
a full, rich life. This will be a tragedy. I wish it weren't going to go
this way, but I don't see how these folks will get a clue in time. I'd
really like to be pleasantly surprised.

- "many" people experience orgasmic childbirth?!?!?!? oh, puh-LEASE! Yeah,
and "many" people are hit by lightning twice. C'mon, they're selling a bill
of goods that they just can't deliver on and then women will be wondering
"what did I do wrong? How come I didn't have an orgasm when my baby came
out?". Gah. Yet another thing to beat themselves up about regarding birth,
as if they didn't have ENOUGH already (difficulty conceiving, c/section,
drugs, breastfeeding, etc etc etc).

I'll shut up now about this, or I'll never stop. Gah. Sorry. Ok.

-Beth