Atul Gawande wrote and article for the New Yorker about the progression of modern birthing methods and techniques and includes a true story about a woman, Elizabeth Rourke, and her journey giving birth. Gawande argues his beliefs that old birthing techniques are inferior to what a modern hospital can provide for a mother today, such as drugs that make the mother numb below the waist and drugs to force contractions. It is very clear the Gawande is all about modern medicine and its progress and for very good reason because he is a doctor; it is good that he has a passion for what he does. However, modern medicine may not always provide the best solution for childbirth, as Henci Goer argues in her response to Gawande's article. The story of Rourke included in the Gawande's article tells the story of a young woman that is about currently in the process of giving birth; the story starts right when she is starting to have contractions. Prior to going into labor, Rourke states that she would like to have a natural vaginal childbirth without any of the commonly used medications or procedures like an epidural or a Cesarean. Long story short, Rourke ends up having difficulty dealing with the pain, her cervix has not yet dilated to the full 10 centimeters after about 50 hours of labor, and the baby's head gets "stuck." All of these problems are "solved" by modern medicine with the use of everything that Rourke wanted to avoid and ends up birthing her child through a C-section. Gawande argues that C-sections are becoming routine, efficient, and safer.
Goer, to say the least, is the polar opposite of Gawande, she argues and provides large amounts of data to support that natural childbirth is the most effective and healthy way to birth a child. More specifically, she advocates the use of a midwife and/or a doula (a knowledgeable birthing coach). By using these individuals, Goer provides statistics that say that both mother and child have a better chance of coming out of the whole process alive and well, and even says that babies born the natural way outside of hospitals are healthier and of higher birth weights.
When is all comes down to it, it all depends on the mother and how and where she prefers to undergo the task. Gawande and Goer can give all of the information and statistics they want, but if a woman isn’t going to feel comfortable giving birth in a hospital or other birthing center, she won’t. I believe that it all comes down to personal preference and what the mother feels comfortable doing.
I think Andrew makes a valid point. The bottom line is simple. The woman needs to feel comfortable. Also, whatever method is safer should be used. Regardless if it relies on technology or if it is with a midwife, whatever is safer should be done. I think it is naive for women to want a natural childbirth if it isn't in the best interest of their child. In Gawande's article, Rouke is complaining about how the birthing process didn't go the way she had planned it. Finally, she quits bitching and realizes that her baby is healthy. She is healthy! So whichever way I can give birth that'll keep me alive and my baby healthy, well that is the way I would want it. Regardless if I'm in a hospital or my own home. And that is how it should be. Women who have this fantasy idea of the perfect birth, who sometimes jeopardize their baby's health in the process, are completely selfish.
ReplyDeleteI would say that first and foremost, the baby's health should be the number one concern when talking about childbirth. With that said, it is up to the mother (or both parents) to decide which method this will be, without putting the mother or the baby in harms way. But the mother should be as comfortable as possible when bringing this little guy or girl into the world. I'm not really sure I have much else to say about this as it is not something I will really ever have to relate to. But I can say that when my wife is preparing to bring my little guy into the world, I want to make sure that they are both safe and healthy.
ReplyDeleteSome questions for all of you:
ReplyDeleteFirst, are Gawande and Goer on opposite sides of this debate? Is Gawande all about industrialization, or is there ambivalence expressed in this article?
Second, in what ways does industrialization help women make the decisions that are best for their comfort, and in what ways does it eliminate options that might be best for women?
And third, is childbirth about the baby's health OR the mother's health? How do we - and how should we - prioritize?
The process of giving birth is very personal, and a woman should not be forced to give birth in a way that she does not feel comfortable with. No one except for the woman giving birth can understand what she is going through; therefore, no other person should have the power to choose how she gives birth.
ReplyDeleteAndrew writes, “When it call comes down to it, it all depends on the mother and how and where she prefers to undergo the task. Gawande and Goer can give all of the information and statistics they want, but if a woman isn’t going to feel comfortable giving birth in a hospital or other birthing center, she won’t. I believe that it all comes down to personal preference and what the mother feels comfortable doing.” A woman can be given all the information about giving birth, she can be warned to not give birth a specific way, but when it comes time to give birth, the woman should have the ultimate say. I strongly believe that.