December 16, 2002

Saving ourselves from meddlesome men

A couple of weeks ago, a male hypnobirther contributed to the discussion on the ozmidwifery list about giving birth in water. He stated that this was “the stupidist idea he has ever heard of” and that women should “get out of the water and onto a chair where you belong”. This naturally led to more discussion during which he said that pain in labour is wrong and that it doesn’t have to hurt - if it does this is just women’s minds at work, expecting pain which they then experience.

These comments really stirred things up. I was very proud of my fellow Aussies that he wasn’t flamed for his assertions and outrageous remarks and that several women tried to gently open his eyes to the realities of birth. His male views and his self-righteous tone didn’t cut any ice with the women on the list but we tried to give him some insights.

Anyway, soon after I was taken to task by the anaesthetists who want to tell women in prenatal classes that their particular form of “rescue” will also save them from the pain of labour. No need to suffer if we place our faith and trust in their particular form of magic.

It all reminds me of the snake oil merchants who used to go around convincing people that their remedies would cure all manner of ills, with no scientific foundation whatsoever. They played on peoples fears and harnessed the power of the mind plus the placebo effect to sell their products (and make a lot of money in the process).

Many men seem incapable of accepting that women are able to be supremely creative and produce a baby without their input (apart from starting it off). It makes me mad when I hear a man tell me that he knows better than I do what my body is capable of when it gives birth. Men have no idea what it feels like to even have a vaginal examination, let alone push a baby out into the world - how dare they presume to know better than me what I need in order to birth a baby successfully and safely? Of course, I am far past childbearing age, but you know what I am getting at....!

Being able to give birth without the meddlesome antics of medical men (or pseudo clinicians) is, for me, the most basic feminist issue. Sure, we need their help sometimes, and be thankful for it, but until we call them in, please leave us alone! Don’t presume to know better than we do what is required. Abandon the arrogant stance of trying to better nature when it comes to perpetuate the species in the safest and most efficient way possible. There are plenty of things you can get your teeth into, like protecting us from unnecessary wars and saving the planet from environmental catastrophe. You work on those bigger issues and leave us to having the babies...... that way there will be plenty of happy healthy children to inherit a beautiful and peaceful world.

Time to get off my soapbox now!

Posted by andrea at December 16, 2002 06:51 AM

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