Jedi Mind Tricks

I dont appreciate it when doctors come into a birthing space and say...."well I can see that you have been pushing for a while now and you're going to get tired. And although the baby is doing fine right now I think we should give you a hand!"

What happens next is the suggestion of the vacuum or forceps so you can "get this baby out while everything is ok" and "be done" because you are going to get tired and better we do it now before that happens. What the #%&@!

I hear this and see this senario play out more than I care to admit. Mothers can feel so vulnerable to suggestion at this time in their labour and with 'the end' in sight it can be tempting to rush the 2nd stage. Some doctors have crafted their persuation skills, convincing women they can predict the future and know how much energy a birthing woman really has and what is best for the baby.

But this proceedure almost always includes having an episiotomy. The room fills with extra doctors and a pediatrician (in case the baby does need help because of the intervention) and an extra midwife. You have to be on your back to birth and your baby is pulled through your vaginal which can cause stress on the tissues. And most of all it does not allow a mother to fully own the experience.

I encourage you just keep this in mind incase Jedi mind tricks get played on you. Claim your right to make an informed decision about anything that suggests a deviation from the norm....because you can do it!