Hey- thanks for writing Guide to Childbirth. Your main idea of letting the readers acknowledge the true nature of birth helped me view the topic from an alternate perspective. Instead of assuming the procedure practiced in hospitals is the safer alternative, I now understand that natural birth forms a stronger bond between the birth mother and the experience.
"Really, which parts were most effective or important for you?"
Well, in the last third of the book you focused on a variety of more technical aspects concerning the process of birth. Such as the positioning of birth and new drugs and techniques that are often used during or post birth and the extent of how much they really help you or hurt you. which added another angle to the first 2/3rds of the book. But let me be more specific:
You had a whole chapter focused on the positioning of the birth parent and even a brief history of what practices were common back in the day. "Women in traditional societies all over the world almost always choose upright positions in labor. This worldwide consensus suggests that women don't choose to lie down to labor and give birth unless forces within their culture pressure them into doing so" (pg 228). This especially stood out to me because it totally contradicted my assumption of how birth was "normally" practiced. In America the stereotypical position of the mother in labor is laying down which is much more ineffective due to the lack of gravitational support. Yet why an advanced country like America practices a more difficult technique puts me in a daze. The pictures below the text also provided great visuals of past practices. This connects to the part in the book where you explain the significance of how the mind and body work together throughout the pregnancy, birth techniques focus on the connection between the body and earth.
Within the same chapter you also mention "letting your monkey do it". Though somewhat amusing to hear, I felt this section of the chapter really compared nature to humans. "Letting the primate in you do the work of labor is a short way of saying not to let your over-busy mind interfere with the ancient wisdom of your body" (pg 243). Though the book is suppose to be a guide for mothers giving birth, you promote natural birth mainly through the various birth stories in the first third of the book. More than anything, this section made me really see the difference between natural and man made. It answered the big question of why we have so much difficulty performing a natural procedure.
Last but not least, you reference the awareness of maternal deaths in the United States. "Judging by the conversations I have had with many physician friends, US doctors are generally unaware of the stagnant US maternal death rate. The lack of federal mandate for statewide mortality review keeps attention from being focused on this problem". (pg 278). Not only did you bring up a very significant aspect of birth, but you also had a reason why this is an ongoing problem. In order to fix something, knowledge about the cause is very vital. The answer to this problem may possibly be birthing facilities similar to The Farm. By taking the responsibility of labor from the hospitals and giving it to trained mid wives may alter our birthing practices forever.
"But what could I have done to make this a better book - that would more effectively fulfill its mission?"
I found the book to be very well rounded as it covered a wide range of things that factor into birth. If there was one thing I would recommend to better the book, I would say the organization of birth stories. Having them in chronological order might of been interesting since the change in the process overtime seems like an interesting topic. Though it may not necessarily benefit some readers, I sure would of found it to be interesting.
." The author replies, "Thanks! Talking to you gives me hope about our future as a society!"
Tuesday
Monday
HW 39
Gaskin, Ina May. Ina May's Guide To Childbirth. New York: Bantam Dell, 2003. Print.
One brief factor I thought was interesting in the book was the comparison of real life birth and birth shown in the media. High risk births are more striking to the audiences opposed to a gradual realistic birth. By showing only the pain and hard labor, the media makes us focus more on certain aspects instead of the process as a whole. I believe this was never covered in the film, though clips from movies were used, the two were never compared.
I also found the depth of how deep they explain the Sphincter Law was quite different since there was a whole chapter written on it. Though concepts similar to it are mentioned in the film, it is not broken down to benefit the audiences understanding of the material. I believe it should be viewed with more significance since many of the core errors in modern day births seem to have a direct connection to the Sphincter Laws.
The majority of the second hundred pages of the book covers the technical aspects of giving birth. It is full of very vital information that can assist a mother through the birthing process. It is almost like a tips and tricks handbook to understanding and experiencing the true natural beauty of giving birth. I believe the main insight this portion of the book is trying to convey is letting women know that by really understanding it, there is not much to worry about. As a whole, I find the insight the book tries to communicate is very positive and useful for people undergoing a pregnancy. Due to mass bias towards birth is shown through pain and agony in the media it has brainwashed us from viewing it from an alternative perspective, a realistic book with a positive tone can be used to calm anxiety and mental instability.
1.Sphincter Law pg 167-182
2. Sexual Intercourse while birth is not harmful pg 215
3. Unprofessional doctors pg 157
4. Media's influence on birth pg 164
5. Moderating drug use during labor pg 165
One brief factor I thought was interesting in the book was the comparison of real life birth and birth shown in the media. High risk births are more striking to the audiences opposed to a gradual realistic birth. By showing only the pain and hard labor, the media makes us focus more on certain aspects instead of the process as a whole. I believe this was never covered in the film, though clips from movies were used, the two were never compared.
I also found the depth of how deep they explain the Sphincter Law was quite different since there was a whole chapter written on it. Though concepts similar to it are mentioned in the film, it is not broken down to benefit the audiences understanding of the material. I believe it should be viewed with more significance since many of the core errors in modern day births seem to have a direct connection to the Sphincter Laws.
The majority of the second hundred pages of the book covers the technical aspects of giving birth. It is full of very vital information that can assist a mother through the birthing process. It is almost like a tips and tricks handbook to understanding and experiencing the true natural beauty of giving birth. I believe the main insight this portion of the book is trying to convey is letting women know that by really understanding it, there is not much to worry about. As a whole, I find the insight the book tries to communicate is very positive and useful for people undergoing a pregnancy. Due to mass bias towards birth is shown through pain and agony in the media it has brainwashed us from viewing it from an alternative perspective, a realistic book with a positive tone can be used to calm anxiety and mental instability.
1.Sphincter Law pg 167-182
2. Sexual Intercourse while birth is not harmful pg 215
3. Unprofessional doctors pg 157
4. Media's influence on birth pg 164
5. Moderating drug use during labor pg 165
Tuesday
HW 38
In the book Ina May's Guide To Childbirth, the text is organized as short stories told my the many patients who have experienced birthing a child at The Farm. Along with the story that is written by the patient, there are sometimes pictures of the individual and their family. Certain quotes that are stated in the story are also backed up by a portion in italics with Ina May's perspective of the story. Based off the table of contents, it seems though if the 2nd part of the book (pg 127~) covers more of the directly educational portion of the topic.
The book focuses strongly on the "naturalness" of birth and succeeds to contrast it with the more artificial aspects of birth. The Farm, or the birthing community in Tennessee is often discussed since Ina May is the founder. It tries to illustrate the pros of a natural childbirth and the cons of relying on hospitals for delivery. I personally question how biased everything said in the book may be due to the number of stories so far that critique hospital births very harshly. I assume that it is purposefully said to generate a grand reputation of The Farm, but I would like to see more positive information regarding hospital births.
Some aspects of birth that I would like to be publicized is the use of words during birth and births outside of hospital facilities. The tone and word use of the people surrounding the mother in labor can directly affect the mood of the situation causing it to become an easier or harder birth. The Farm community caught up on this problem and began to change their way of speech around clients. The alternative of giving birth at home or outside of a hospital facility is very faintly known. I believe people don't believe in due to its lack in popularity and the need to have a professional around.
Ina May utilizes the stories of clients as evidence, though she does not make any bold statements saying her opinion on what is right and wrong, many times I sense a biased towards certain practices. I do believe that hearing experiences is vital especially when it comes to a topic such as birth, but it cannot be treated as real solid evidence. Scientific proof is really the only source of truth.
The book focuses strongly on the "naturalness" of birth and succeeds to contrast it with the more artificial aspects of birth. The Farm, or the birthing community in Tennessee is often discussed since Ina May is the founder. It tries to illustrate the pros of a natural childbirth and the cons of relying on hospitals for delivery. I personally question how biased everything said in the book may be due to the number of stories so far that critique hospital births very harshly. I assume that it is purposefully said to generate a grand reputation of The Farm, but I would like to see more positive information regarding hospital births.
Some aspects of birth that I would like to be publicized is the use of words during birth and births outside of hospital facilities. The tone and word use of the people surrounding the mother in labor can directly affect the mood of the situation causing it to become an easier or harder birth. The Farm community caught up on this problem and began to change their way of speech around clients. The alternative of giving birth at home or outside of a hospital facility is very faintly known. I believe people don't believe in due to its lack in popularity and the need to have a professional around.
Ina May utilizes the stories of clients as evidence, though she does not make any bold statements saying her opinion on what is right and wrong, many times I sense a biased towards certain practices. I do believe that hearing experiences is vital especially when it comes to a topic such as birth, but it cannot be treated as real solid evidence. Scientific proof is really the only source of truth.
Wednesday
HW 37
What an eye-opening read about birth!-especially the last story. I believe the most generic conclusion about birth, is the movie birth story. Parents being overjoyed, new-to-be grandparents being happily surprised to tears, the baby showers and gifts...but no. Life is not that simple at all. Or should I say, No one life/person is like the other.
I enjoyed the fact that you were able to write not only about the story everyone already knows, but furthered it with emotions of the interviewees. Included in your stories was one that particularly peaked my interest--and that was the one about the birth of yourself. Honest and raw. The financial aspects, the small history behind yourself. Basically peering into the life of the author himself.
The last story was, quite frankly, appalling. It was unique in a way that it represented a different generation, but what a story!
At first, I thought I could never imagine such a person, such a MOTHER, could exist. I took another read through and let the idea roll in my head for a while.
As cruel as the story seemed, I remembered: That is life.
Who knows how Nancy could have been raised, what circumstances she was brought up in, what was happening at that time. People think and do irrational things all the time. It's great that she was able to realize her own mistakes because that, already, is half the battle.
As much as I enjoyed this post, I have to say: As a female reader, I am wondering about the other half of the story. And by other half, I am referring to the husband (or other?). As natural births go, and how life happens, it takes a woman AND a man. I would have liked to have read on the man's influence on the birth.
I enjoyed the fact that you were able to write not only about the story everyone already knows, but furthered it with emotions of the interviewees. Included in your stories was one that particularly peaked my interest--and that was the one about the birth of yourself. Honest and raw. The financial aspects, the small history behind yourself. Basically peering into the life of the author himself.
The last story was, quite frankly, appalling. It was unique in a way that it represented a different generation, but what a story!
At first, I thought I could never imagine such a person, such a MOTHER, could exist. I took another read through and let the idea roll in my head for a while.
As cruel as the story seemed, I remembered: That is life.
Who knows how Nancy could have been raised, what circumstances she was brought up in, what was happening at that time. People think and do irrational things all the time. It's great that she was able to realize her own mistakes because that, already, is half the battle.
As much as I enjoyed this post, I have to say: As a female reader, I am wondering about the other half of the story. And by other half, I am referring to the husband (or other?). As natural births go, and how life happens, it takes a woman AND a man. I would have liked to have read on the man's influence on the birth.
Sasha (Protagonist)
I haven't given much thought to pregnancy, but now that I read some of your stories I feel really terrified. I guess I really thought that pregnancy is just a part of life. I thought it was something that just kinda happens in your life and that's that. All I really thought about was how much it would hurt to go through it all.
I agree with Sarah above me. I liked that you brought three different stories to show a comparison. The only thing else you could add on is more commentary from you. I think it would make the post more interesting.
I agree with Sarah above me. I liked that you brought three different stories to show a comparison. The only thing else you could add on is more commentary from you. I think it would make the post more interesting.
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