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Childbirth

Is that the 'real' America?

85 replies

Hattie05 · 18/02/2006 22:11

Just watched maternity ward on discovery health.

It was set in an American hospital, and every single woman was strapped down, encouraged to have epidurals, and the slightest worry were sent to theatre for c-section.

Is this a true representation for America's maternity care? Any American mumsnetters here to answer?

I was really surprised, thought American's would be hot on natural births.

OP posts:

Report

alliep30 · 18/02/2006 22:12

I always find this hattie. They've got all their family, a video camera and NOT ONE BEAD OF SWEAT!!
is this just for TV?

misdee · 18/02/2006 22:13

it when they grab tha lady in labourts legs and push for her, makes me winch.

alexsmum · 18/02/2006 22:15

read jabberwocky's post. i think that she is in america and it sounds exactly like this.
american healthcare from what i have read is very interventionist indeed.
i don't know if it's still true but i know that sometime ago it was illegal to practice as a midwife in some states in the usa.
there is alot of fearof litigation if things go wrong-hence the c section.

expatinscotland · 18/02/2006 22:16

Dunno. I'm American, but I never had any children there. My sister was actively encouraged to VBAC - which she did successfully, no epidural.

I lived on the West Coast, and it was much more pro-breastfeed, less medical intervention, etc. Denver had one of the only universities where a nurse could become a CNM - a certified nurse midwife - in the West, although other places on the East Coast had midwifery units.

Pruni · 18/02/2006 22:17

Message withdrawn

Hattie05 · 18/02/2006 22:18

Yes dp, commented on perhaps it was a case of too scared they'll get sued.

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RedZuleika · 18/02/2006 22:18

I've read that it's very difficult to get a VBAC in many areas. Presumably because of the insurance and risk of getting sued.

expatinscotland · 18/02/2006 22:19

One good trend, however, is that circumcision rates are WAY down over there these days. In fact, there's a big case in the family court in Illinois just now, involving two divorced parents. The mother wants their 8-year-old son circumcised. The father is opposed. There is no precedent, so the judge is on new legal ground and is taking some time to mull the matter over.

moondog · 18/02/2006 22:20

Expat,my American friends tell me thatbirths at which only midwives are present are consideredto be very dippy hippy.
Would you agree???

expatinscotland · 18/02/2006 22:20

Ah, but VBAC is cheaper! So in some areas, women are encouraged to VBAC. My sister was. At first, she didn't want to VBAC, but in hindsight is glad she did.

Hattie05 · 18/02/2006 22:21

In tonights programme, one midwife made two very contradictory statements.

When discussing on vbac with epidural which went smoothly, she said she doesn't like to have lots of people screaming at the woman to push, she felt it important to let the mother do it in her own time.

During another labour with epidural, when discussing breaking the waters, she stated that once contractions start, a lot can go wrong, so priority is to get the baby out quickly and she would do whatever it takes for that to happen (e.g. intervene to speed it up, i guess).

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expatinscotland · 18/02/2006 22:21

Yes, moondog, I would agree w/that. When I tell my American pals about how the birth went, and how 'when the midwives examined me I was 9cm dilated and there was no time for pain relief' they are utterly horrified! Also that they 'let' me get up on my fours and hold onto the back of hte bed w/my arms to give birth.

alexsmum · 18/02/2006 22:22

8 year old!!! for a non medical reason? that's barbaric.

expatinscotland · 18/02/2006 22:22

They're like 'where was the doctor?!'

Pruni · 18/02/2006 22:22

Message withdrawn

Hattie05 · 18/02/2006 22:23

Is childbirth including in their medical cover, or do individuals have to pay additional charges when having children?

I just find it amazing, during my labour, i could not sit still, let alone lay down, not because i was a hippy dippy, just because i needed to pace the room to take my mind of the pain!
I guess thats why they all have epidurals.

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Hattie05 · 18/02/2006 22:24

That must seem so strange expat.

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alexsmum · 18/02/2006 22:24

have any of you read the best friends guide to preg? that's american and says things like,
when you arrive at the hospital you will given a canula in your hand in case you need putting on a drip later et etc.there are footnotes saying'not the case in uk'
she is also very pro epidural and speaks of it as if it's the norm.

moondog · 18/02/2006 22:25

alexsmum,in Turkey where I live,that is about the age they circumsize. Then they get the kid all dressed up in special gear and have a party.
Bet the butchered lad doesn't join in though. I see the special post op underpants for sale.They have a plastic raised bit with holes in it to keep anything from touching the poor tortured member.

moondog · 18/02/2006 22:26

Yes,read all of those am.

expatinscotland · 18/02/2006 22:27

The mum claims it is for medical reasons, alex. The dad doesn't agree. So it's gone to the judge. In the US, fathers have many more rights as far as their kids go. It was on yahoo news today. I'm trying to find it.

expatinscotland · 18/02/2006 22:28

I dunno, I never had kids there, so I can't say what it would really be like.

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alexsmum · 18/02/2006 22:32

the medical reasons for doing it i think are when the foreskin is too tight/infected and it has to be done like....NOW! if it's ok to be left while a court case goes on,i'd have thought it was ok for it to stay, but i'm not an expert.

Hattie05 · 18/02/2006 22:34

alexsmum, which of jabberwocky's post were you referring to? I did a search but not sure where to start .

OP posts:

alexsmum · 18/02/2006 22:36

sorry hattie, its entitled'late but here goes anyway..(long)'
it s about halfway down active convos.she's in tennessee. she had a dreadful time.

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