Got To Love that American Drama
2nd June 2008When we were away last weekend we happened to flick on the television and see an episode of “Gray’s Anatomy”. Now I’ve only ever seen this show once before, but one of my girlfriend’s was raving about it the other day, so that I thought I could sit and watch for a little while. After all, we can all do with a dose of ‘American Drama’ every so often.
Now I agree that the “Mc Dreamy” character is very easy to watch – that was until I found myself pacing the room ranting to my husband “How, how can they get away with that, how can they portray women like that??” And so the drama began……..
There is a woman who features initially in the episode in early stages of labour. She is assessed by one of the main female characters of the show, who I presume is a resident doctor, and a young feisty male intern. The woman in labour voices very aggressively – yelling in fact – that she is not going to have a caesarean for their (the doctor’s) convenience and that she wants to be left alone to have her baby naturally. (God knows how though, she’s strapped to a monitor and she’s lying on a hospital trolley with her frightened husband beside her.)
With this, the doctor’s leave the room and the intern interrogates the resident doctor about – “Why on earth she hadn’t already told the patient she was going to need a C –Section, which would be better for them both!” She replies along the lines of – “We are here to look after our patient’s and “their” needs – not our own, and the patient wants to try to have to a natural birth.”
THIS IS ALL PRETTY GOOD SO FAR. The patient is being heard by an empathic doctor, yes it’s all very nice…
Then the story continues with basically all the character’s of the show fondling each other during surgery- oops sorry- “post-surgery”. The female protagonist of “Gray’s Anatomy” (can’t remember her name… no I mean -”I” can’t remember her name) fears that she may have be pregnant but luckily for her and her two boyfriends (Mc Dreamy being one of these) she isn’t, she simply needs her appendix out. These scenes go on and on, with more and more sexual tension building in the hallways… you just can’t help wondering how on earth the woman in labour is progressing?????.
Anyway, the show then flick’s to the intern reminding the resident doctor about this “distressed labouring woman” – all the while she has been drooling over some ‘steamy-resident’ who’s come back to haunt her… Are you entertained so far?
The two doctor’s run into the room where the labouring woman is writhing on the bed yelling “No, no I don’t want to have a caesarean! I’m not one of those women who just give in, leave me alone!” The resident doctor quickly assesses the situation and says “well it’s my job to keep you and your baby alive and you now HAVE to have a caesarean!”….
Firstly, why do they have to portray that just because a woman wants to have a natural birth she condemns all other women who choose not to? Why feed this on-going rift between women. Why do they need to make women who want a natural birth look aggressive, unsafe and irresponsible? All women have a right to choose how they want to birth and most women who decide to try for a natural birth do so for their own reason’s, NOT TO BE VICTORIOUS over another! Whatever birth option a couple makes – they should feel empowered and supported.
C- Sections can save lives and depending upon individual circumstances, an elective caesarean may best support the mother’s needs. All births involve an element of risk, however Caesareans should not be viewed as the simple risk-free procedure that we are often led to believe. The more knowledgeable women become, the more aware they are regarding these dangers.
Awareness helps us embrace our decisions and prevents any lingering resentments.
Dr J Morris a specialist in foetal medicine says, “Caesarean section is riskier for women than vaginal births. There is much greater risk of infection and postpartum problems.”(1)
Studies have also shown that babies born via caesarean have a greater risk of developing Asthma and Allergies. “With subjects born via caesarean being three times more likely to develop asthma by age 31, compared to babies born naturally.”(2)
Whichever style of birth a couple chooses there are pro’s and con’s involved. For further information please see Chapter Nine in “Well Adjusted Babies”. It is wise for couples to spend time reflecting upon their needs and researching their birth options. With careful planning, each birth can be as unique and personal as we want, even with some level of intervention.
We can honour the miracle of birth in our own individual way. All births are precious, all births are sacred.
Blessings and Good Health to you all,
Dr Jennifer Barham-Floreani
B.App.Clin.Sci, B.Chiropractic
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