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From: John
Email: jserink@hotmail.com
Category: Induction/Pitocin
Date: 10 Sep 2003
Hello All: Very informative page. My wife and I are expecting twins and have been doing A LOT of reading. We submitted our first version of our birth plan to our Oby at 24 weeks and have an appointment coming up this sat(26 weeks). The only thing he queried us about was that we did not want any labour aumentation or induction. We told him we would discuss this next appointment. After going to the pharmacy network group web page and reading the documentation that comes with Pitocin(oxytocin) we decided no....we're having none of this. You should all have a read of what is on the warning documentation from the manufacturers. Our advantage in dealing with out Oby is that I have ALWAYS disliked doctors and the medical profession in general because I believe they lazy and depend on ill-informed patients for a living. Means they don't have to read up and stay current. Many of our discussions we have had on C-Sections, interference in labour, episiotomies et-al have shown we are more well read than he is. And according to published studies, this is not unusual. Most doctors don't read up, its just the nature of their profession...too many patients, not enough time. And who pays for this? Well...we do. We were thinking of having a doula for our birth but after going to a meeting session with a few of them we were not comfortable so we will do this on our own. You have to remember, a doctor is human and comes with all the imperfections we all have. Most of us are lazy by nature, a doctor is no different. If you have a normal pregnancy (which 75-85% of you will have) the most dangerous place to have your baby is in a hospital. You don't have to take my word for it, just read. The world health organisation web site is a good place to start. The OEDC countries with the lowest maternal and infant mortality rates are Sweden and Holland....mostly because over 50% of babies in those places are born at home with a mid wife. These countries spend less than half per capita on health care than the USA does yet, the USA has the second highest maternal and infant mortality rates of the 26 or so OEDC countries. Why is that? Its all there folks. You simply MUST educate yourselves. DO NOT put the life of your baby and yourself in the hands of the people without questioning them. And if you want them to shut off the Pitocin drip, dim the light and just get out of the room.. they must. All persons have the right to refuse medical treatment. Any treatment given without WRITTEN consent is assault, pure and simple. Rules of Thumb: -If your doctor pisses you off, get a new one, -If your doctor talks down to you, get a new one, -Do a birth plan WELL in advance, -Present the birth plan to your Doctor and do NOT be rushed in to agreeing with any suggestion until you can go home, read and think, -If your doctor is uncomfortable with you having a birth plan, get a new doctor, -Educate yourselve BEFORE talking to your doctor, -If at all possible, get a midwife and have a home birth. Read as much as you possibly can. Knowledge is power. I talk alot I know but my wife and I are trying to put the odds on our side. Education is the key and ALWAYS, after your doctor or midwife suggests something, ask for the data. Opinions and anecdotal comments are a dime a dozen, even from doctors. Any statement made from a doctor or midwife, not backed up with references from scienific jounals is just an opinion...not science. Good luck to all, my heart goes out to you. John
Just for the record, all information posted here are personal experiences/stories. There are no Doctors/Nurses answering questions on the board. This board is for sharing stories so we can learn from each other! If you have any problems with the board, please email me at Angela4KP1@comcast.net