When it comes to having a baby there are two views of what is right: the naturalistic view and the pharmaceutical view. Proponents of each are equally passionate about their beliefs, and both use similar tactics to push their ideals on mothers-to-be. Both are fear-mongers.
Naturalists encourage the most natural birthing experience possible. To press their opinions onto expecting mothers, they spout statistics of the possible harms medications can cause your child. I’ve heard it all. For example, using Pitocin to initiate labor causes extremely painful contractions, more painful that those your body would naturally cause during labor. I don’t have a problem with this statement. Pitocin does cause contractions that are much more intense than natural contractions. What I do have a problem with is what cycle naturalists say will happen if you use Pitocin.
According to the naturalists, if you use Pitocin to initiate labor you will have an epidural. The epidural slows the labor process, and forces the physicians to up your levels of Pitocin; then you need a higher dose of the epidural. According to the naturalists this puts a lot of undue stress on the baby, and usually leads to a C-section. This is a horrible fear for most mothers-to-be. C-sections take much longer to recover from than vaginal births. Most hospitals require at least a three-day stay after a C-section, versus anywhere from 24 to 48 hours for a normal vaginal delivery.
The naturalists continue to use fear to influence mothers' decisions after birth. One of the biggest issues is whether or not to vaccinate. According to the naturalists, vaccinations are the leading cause of autism in children, and may even cause S.I.D.S. When you read the books bashing vaccinations, they mention studies they have done to prove that vaccinations only cause problems. They also mention that there is no proof that vaccinations help people. But, after looking closely at the studies quoted in the books, it is evident that many of these studies are performed by the books’ authors, and that they can be discredited by other studies published in scientific magazines.
The naturalists use the fear of death or extreme harm to the baby to coax an expectant mother into making decisions. Unfortunately, proponents of the pharmaceutical view use very similar tactics. Those who encourage drugs and medical intervention are often the ones who have the most sway with pregnant women. These are often their obstetricians and the media itself.
Article comments
1 - Ruth
I somewhat agree. I know some doctors seem to urge an epidural, but mine did not. I had an almost 24 hour labor with no pain medications. My doctor asked once if I wanted an epidural, and I said no. I think one reason they ask, is because so many mothers jump into labor immediately asking for an epidural. I know some (not all) go in with no knowledge of doing it any other way. They have always heard "get an epidural", so they do.
I wasn't pushed for an epidural, nor was I pushed for a c-section. I only had a c-section after 21 hours of labor, an hour and a half of pushing, then realizing my son's shoulders were too big. After waiting another hour for the surgery team to be ready, THEN I had a c-section. I wanted a "natural" birth, my doctor was patient and waited with me, but in the end, it didn't go as planned. And that's okay! My son is healthy and thriving and the three days in the hospital were great! I didn't have to cook, clean, or take care of myself. I quite enjoyed my recovery time and how everyone took care of me!