If the woman in hospital does not conform to the timetable she will have a forceps, ventouse or caesarean section and then be further conned into believing that it was all for the best because her body did not function properly and could even have presented a danger to her baby. Some interventions can be lifesavers for the few women and babies who really need them, ironically, those women who most need obstetric care occasionally do not get it because the medical staff are busy involving themselves in labours of women who had no problems until they arrived at the obstetric unit. Repeated studies have revealed women's needs. They want to have a normal birth with an attendant they know who has looked after them during their pregnancy and who will help them birth their babies and look after them postnatally. In truth the new era of Super Midwives will produce a race of automatons who will know all everything there is to know administration, but who will posses little, if any genuine midwifery skills.
True midwifery is a precious gift to pregnant and birthing women.
It ensures the safety and well being of the mother and her baby in a way which no technology, however well intentioned, will ever be able to match. As we enter the next millennium, mothers and midwives must accept the single most important truth about midwifery - If we don't use it, we will lose it. Beverley A Lawrence Beech Pat Thomas Homepage Articles Association for Improvements in the Maternity Services. All rights reserved. Please do not reproduce any material from this site without permission.