Affirmation

I am constantly reading. I think that I am reading atleast 4 books right now. Sometimes it feels like I just can't get enough information. I see books and think "I have to have that, if I don't get that then I won't know!" This is a good thing and a bad thing. A good thing because this means that I am working hard at becoming an expert. But it is also bad because you just can't buy everybook and read them in one day :)
Anyway, I was reading one of my books today and I thought that I would share something with you. It just embodies what I have been thinking in my head about being a midwife. This comes from the book: Obstetrics Myths Versus Research Realities: A Guide to the Medical Literature by, Henci Goer. In the very first chapter Henci describes what she thinks is "good care", I also thought that it described what I wanted to do for my mama's when I practice.

"I am not antiobstetrician, and I personally know and know by reputation some very fine obstetricians. Here is what I think defines good care. Good doctors and midwives:

• Believe that childbearing to be a fundamentally healthy and normal part of a woman's psychosexual life.
• Treat women holistically, taking into consideration their thoughts, feelings, concerns, and priorities.
• Respect the right of women to make informed decisions for themselves and their babies.
• Respect labor as an expierence with its own lessons and rewards.
• Offer supportive rather than interventinve care.
• Evaluate individually and do not treat by rule.
• Start small when intervention becomes necessary.
• Keep abreast of the medical literature."

I just thought that this just hit the nail on the head for me. Anyway, I thought that I would share this. My hope is that someday all obstetrical care will be like this. All it will take are some determined mamas, that aren't afraid to stand their ground. I hope that I can be one of those ladies!