Gloyw
What a BRILLIANT post. Says it all!! I've reposted here - it needs to be posted twice - hope you don't mind!
"So, after a night's reflection, I've realised that actually, for me, the debate stopped with the admirable webchat with David Bogod. And I really do urge others to read it.
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/mumsnet_live_events/1160539-Live-webchat-with-David-Bogod-president-elect-of-the-Obstetric-Anaesthetists-Association-Thurs-3-March-8-9pm
So many of the scaremongering about epidurals on these threads cleared up - so clear about the risks, too, which is JUST as important if women are to be informed.
Fellow of the Royal College of Anaesthetists, President Elect of the Obstetric Anaesthetists Assocation - I'm happy that he is someone well informed.
There will always be people who don't want to believe something because it conflicts so strongly with their existing beliefs - but goodness knows there is nothing you can say to them. They'll ask for evidence, then find ways of discounting it if it contradicts what they think, then believe the flimsiest, unscientific publication if it backs up what they already think. It's only human, it's called cognitive bias, but it doesn't half make debate a waste of time.
Bottom line for me - epidurals should not be denied or withheld from women who ask for them. Whether in advance, or during labour (which is unpredictable, and plenty of women change their mind about pain relief options when confronted with the reality of it all). I feel the same about other birth choices, btw - home births, which also need one to one MW care, should be available to those who want them.
And yes, an increase in the number of MWs. But only in properly trained, well informed staff (i.e not those who refuse to accept that a Fellow of the Royal College of Anaesthetists doesn't know what he's talking about!) - who see it as their job to support all women, not just those who share the same ideology as them, work with other medical professionals when necessary, and not protect their own professional territory so fiercely that women get less than optimal treatment.
More of them - marvellous.
"