Reflecting
Donald Schön (1983) suggested that the capacity to reflect on action so as to engage in a process of continuous learning was one of the defining characteristics of professional practice.
As I have blogged before I am one of life's eternal 'reflectors'. I have been reflecting for sometime about an episode which occurred during an antenatal education session for Parents Centre in New Zealand.
Parents Centre New Zealand
Marie Bell gained her phD at the age of 84, her thesis is based on the pioneers of Parent's Centre who challenged the well- established and generally respected views of the policymakers of the 1950's. Under the leadership of Helen Brew, Parents Centre influenced many women to force a change around childbirth education and birth practices. Helen Brew was influenced by the book, Childbirth without fear, authored by Grantly Dick-read. Dick-read wrote about how adequate preparation for childbirth could reduce fear and pain in childbirth.
As now in Australia, childbirth in 1950's New Zealand was dominated by obstetrical and gynaecological boys who were heavyweights exerting total dominance over policy and conditions for women having babies. These heavyweights in obstetrics produced policies which served to give pain relief to every woman. Parents centre pioneers at that time believed that childbirth was a normal, natural event and that women were entitled to learn strategies to cope with the process without resorting to drugs.
As a childbirth educator
As a childbirth educator and as a midwife working within Parents Centre it wouldn't be difficult to assume that I would find it easy to promote childbirth as a normal, natural event to what I thought to be a well motivated, captive audience. My experience is rather different and I am left to wonder how far participants have moved from those early pioneers.
The hospital tour experience
I once took an antenatal group on a 'tour' of the local maternity unit. I always used this visit as part of 'teaching' using the visit to talk in context about issues that arise when birthing within an obstetric setting.
On this particular evening I was driving into the unit contemplating how I could use the session to promote normal childbirth. I was immensely proud of myself as I devised a cunning plan. I went into the unit and rearranged two of the birthing rooms.
In birthing room 1, I created minimal lighting, removed the bed, placed birthing balls, mats and cushions on the floor. I also had soft music playing and aromatherapy oils wafting through the air. It was a beautiful, comforting place promoting relaxation and a warm peaceful environment in which one could welcome a newborn.
In birthing room 2, I created a hard assed, brightly lit room with every cold piece of hard steel equipment I could muster on display.
I stepped back and surveyed my splendid work. I patted myself on the back.
Once all the group had arrived I divided them into two groups and gave them feedback forms. I sent each group into each room and we met up to give the feedback to the group as a whole. I was particularly interested in the feelings each room evoked.
The feedback
I was disappointed to find that they found the peaceful, darkened room scary and intimidating. They found the brightly lit room reassuring. When I asked them why this was, they said that they felt at least in that room every piece of equipment was available should they need it in an emergency.
This gave me some insight into the challenge we face as childbirth educators in promoting birth as a natural, normal experience. it does appear that the media have done a massively successful job at promoting how dangerous childbirth is.
I am left wondering where we go from here and how we can continue to hold on to the original philosophy and promote women to feel more empowered and confident in their abilities to birth in whatever setting they find themselves in.
Donald Schön (1983) suggested that the capacity to reflect on action so as to engage in a process of continuous learning was one of the defining characteristics of professional practice.
As I have blogged before I am one of life's eternal 'reflectors'. I have been reflecting for sometime about an episode which occurred during an antenatal education session for Parents Centre in New Zealand.
Parents Centre New Zealand
Marie Bell gained her phD at the age of 84, her thesis is based on the pioneers of Parent's Centre who challenged the well- established and generally respected views of the policymakers of the 1950's. Under the leadership of Helen Brew, Parents Centre influenced many women to force a change around childbirth education and birth practices. Helen Brew was influenced by the book, Childbirth without fear, authored by Grantly Dick-read. Dick-read wrote about how adequate preparation for childbirth could reduce fear and pain in childbirth.
As now in Australia, childbirth in 1950's New Zealand was dominated by obstetrical and gynaecological boys who were heavyweights exerting total dominance over policy and conditions for women having babies. These heavyweights in obstetrics produced policies which served to give pain relief to every woman. Parents centre pioneers at that time believed that childbirth was a normal, natural event and that women were entitled to learn strategies to cope with the process without resorting to drugs.
As a childbirth educator
As a childbirth educator and as a midwife working within Parents Centre it wouldn't be difficult to assume that I would find it easy to promote childbirth as a normal, natural event to what I thought to be a well motivated, captive audience. My experience is rather different and I am left to wonder how far participants have moved from those early pioneers.
The hospital tour experience
I once took an antenatal group on a 'tour' of the local maternity unit. I always used this visit as part of 'teaching' using the visit to talk in context about issues that arise when birthing within an obstetric setting.
On this particular evening I was driving into the unit contemplating how I could use the session to promote normal childbirth. I was immensely proud of myself as I devised a cunning plan. I went into the unit and rearranged two of the birthing rooms.
In birthing room 1, I created minimal lighting, removed the bed, placed birthing balls, mats and cushions on the floor. I also had soft music playing and aromatherapy oils wafting through the air. It was a beautiful, comforting place promoting relaxation and a warm peaceful environment in which one could welcome a newborn.
In birthing room 2, I created a hard assed, brightly lit room with every cold piece of hard steel equipment I could muster on display.
I stepped back and surveyed my splendid work. I patted myself on the back.
Once all the group had arrived I divided them into two groups and gave them feedback forms. I sent each group into each room and we met up to give the feedback to the group as a whole. I was particularly interested in the feelings each room evoked.
The feedback
I was disappointed to find that they found the peaceful, darkened room scary and intimidating. They found the brightly lit room reassuring. When I asked them why this was, they said that they felt at least in that room every piece of equipment was available should they need it in an emergency.
This gave me some insight into the challenge we face as childbirth educators in promoting birth as a natural, normal experience. it does appear that the media have done a massively successful job at promoting how dangerous childbirth is.
I am left wondering where we go from here and how we can continue to hold on to the original philosophy and promote women to feel more empowered and confident in their abilities to birth in whatever setting they find themselves in.
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