addendum...

I wanted to clarify that my ire regarding maternity care in this country is not directed at individuals struggling to make sense of their choices, but at the system that does not provide women with an opportunity for informed consent.  I hope my post would never make any individual woman feel bad about her birth experience, but that we would be able to respond as a community to this health-care crisis.  However, I do strongly reject the posture of "I'm okay, you're okay, we're all okay."  No!  Not all birth "choices" are equal.  There IS something wrong with birth in America and we need to re-evaluate our cultural practices and ask if they truly serve women and children.  I heard a woman on NPR say this morning, "there is a world of difference between responsibility and blame."  Yes!  We have both personal responsibility and communal responsibility.  We need to support one another as we struggle to make healthy birth and parenting choices, and comfort one another when our birth stories bring grief.  Love leaves no room for blame.

Note on the picture:  One of my old favorites of when Little C was about 6 months old.

Comments

[Lizz]

Well said.

I have come to know that 'education' is a big part of fixing something, by that I don't mean formal schooling.

Thanks for spreading the word.

[nicole]

hi, just stumbled across your blog! I really appreciated this post. I've been doing a lot of reading on the topic, and too agree that education is key. I watched the BOBB a few months back, and found it excellent - and such a good, empowering tool for women and everyone. even my husband teared up!