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Ryan David's first batb,
secure in bis fatber's a rms.
eries through proper nutrition and
exercise.
to better assu re an alert,
healthy child and a prob–
lem - frec delivery? 1n–
deed! Learn what they
are. Y ou're welcome to
send for our free booklet
Principies of Healthful
Living.
David and Pam made their deci–
sion to have their child at home
only after thoroughly educating
and preparing themselves for a low–
ri sk natural delivery. A certified
nurse-midwife, who had been high–
l y recommended, was carefully
chosen. Proper healtb and sanita–
tion procedures were followed.
What about the dura–
tion of pregnancy? Are
there things each moth–
er-to-be can do then to
make delivery safer and
All you expectant couples may
not be able to have your newborns
safely at home. But whatever deci –
sions must be made, you should be
the ones making them. Be well pre–
pared to not only decide where but
how your chi ldren will be
born.
o
their child to a physician not in
tune with their personal prefer–
cnces or feelings about the mal–
ter.
easier? Again, yes. Many good
books are on the market to guide
couples toward healthy safe deliv-
Risk may be involved to mother
and child whether in the hospital ,
in a birth center or at home. Cou–
ples should Iearn what those risks
are and make an intelligent deci–
sion about how and where their
children will be delivered.
Responsibi lity is the parents'.
They, not the obstetrician, must
live with the long-term personal
results of whatever decisions are
made. I f you are an expectant par–
ent or are planning to become one,
learn what your r esponsibilities
toward your unborn child are.
Are there things you can do
even before you become pregnant
Not yet one day old, Ryan David is
healtby and a lert.
medication), nutritional
counseling or referral,
referral to childbirth classes,
discussion of breas!- and
bottle-feeding? ls he or she
willing to answer your
questions in terms you
understand?
• How much experience
has !he atiendan! had? How
many births has he or she
assisted al , and how have
difieren! complications been
handled? Have !he mothers
been allowed lo progress
through !he birth naturally
and unhurried by drugs or
equipment as long as no
harm is being done to
mother or baby?
• How does your
September 1984
atiendan! feel about routine
medical intervention (such
as induced labor,
episiotomies and
intravenous procedures)?
Does he or she feel they
should be used only in
emergencies when medically
indicated?
• Will your attendant or
his or her assistant sit
through the entire labor with
you? This is importan!, so if
complications arise,
appropriate action can be
taken quickly.
• Do you and your
attendant understand each
other, what you will or will
no! tolerate, preferences,
and a compatible idea of
what labor and birth should
be?
11
you are going to have
your baby at a birth center
or in your home, you should
also ask:
• Does !he atiendan!
adhere to strict guidelines,
screening each patient
carefully, and accepting only
those whose pregnancies
are normal, with no
foreseeable difficulties?
• ls the attendant willing to
help with !he delivery
without interfering, as
long as everything is going
well?
• Will a trained assistant
be with !he doctor or
nurse-midwife throughout
!he labor and delivery lo
help out? Remember, there
will be two people to take
care of.
• How close are
emergency facilities? ls !he
atiendan! willing lo transfer
you immediately to a
backup doctor at a clinic or
hospital if difficulties arise?
Problems occur most often
when attendants or parents
are not willing to do this
soon enough.
- Your pregnancy and
delivery should be
something you look back on
with pleasant memories. lt's
your choice- make sure it's
an informed one.
-Karen Fergen
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