I’m guessing you read this today as the ripples are already spreading across the internet. I think the main issue here is that he’s a man talking about labour. Are we being a little sexist by suggesting a man can’t be an authority in this area because he can’t experience labour? What about childless women? Can they comment? What about me? I have two children and only 24 fruitless hours of labour under my belt.
As it happens, I had an epidural. I didn’t really need it, I was panicking about what was happening (long story) and it was all I could say. It took them 2 hours to get it in. At the point they got it to work, I was coping but no one helped me to realise this. I could have gone on, the worst had passed. Sadly, they got it in, it took effect and I stopped dilating. Game over. 14 hours later, having gone backwards, my dear Milla came out via c-section. I actually had a male midwife on recovery which people find surprising (not so surprising the obstetricians were male though…)
I would encourage the measures he suggests. We need to support and encourage women to embrace labour and look to themselves for strength.
Refreshing take on it all! I once read something similar to your thoughts about cancer and religion (not in the same sentence!), but you don’t have to have cancer to know about cancer, or be religious to study religion…….. not sure where I’m going with this comment. :)
I hope that I can trust that my body can do this and that it is equipped to deal with the pain. I hope that I will get the support that I need to know what is happening, but with your first baby it must be so unknown and hard to understand. I will just do my best.
OMG – I never once asked my midwife if she had children, I suspect she hasn’t. I do know she has been in midwifery as long as I’ve been alive and that I trust her judgement. I think what you said is what I was thinking.
DF – I know you have it in you. My best advice is to stay calm and believe you can.