dignity during labour

[kittenstorm]

how have you managed it? If things go well I'll have a home birth but in case of having to go to hospital.... I wouldn't allow any students etc but what can you do to minimise the number of mw/obs watching/being involved? I want as few people as possble there (and I hope to go sans epidural, pitocin etc, no intervention unless needed) I worry about all sorts of people coming to 'help', esp male HCPs. I really feel I'm not one of those people who won't care due to pain, pain I can handle (I think) but not a bunch of people concentrating on my bits!!

I just remembered in one of my NHS class birthing videos, the mother wore a very Sloane Ranger pearl necklace and matching earrings with full make-up on. Maybe that was her idea of keeping dignified. She was starkers otherwise.

I sort of think that its not that birth in itself is undignified. Its how you are treated that can take dignity away. Having a baby happens to us a few times in our lives, but for midwives and doctors, its what they do. Taking the time to explain things, being respectful, gaining informed consent before doing something and not being patronising can mean a world of difference. some midwives and doctors manage to do that, some don't