HW 40 - Insights from Book - Part 3

Dea Mr. Wagner,

I truly appreciate your efforts in writing Born In The USA. Your idea on the American Healthcare System that have put women in a hypnotizing, and cultural trend that is corrupt.giving women the inability to  see their alternatives and make their own choices on when, who or where they have birth. what your adressing in your book really moved me, and this is because something that might seem so little like a child being born in a hospital is shown to be a bad thing. you put the normal tendencies of our society, and in this case birth in a hospital off a pedestal and present its falts.

in the last third of your book, i feel you recapped and effectively presented the reader with solutions to their broken maternity system. you covered a ten step process that in fixing this hospital birth trend, for instance using advocacy to aware the public and science to prove the effectiveness of home births. this part was very effective and really made what was read before much more powerful. giving a solution to the number of problems, not vaguely but specifically.

But let me be more specific. these were the three main ideas that really caught my attention in the final third of the book.

1. Educating the public about the abuses of our maternity care system. we are not informed and their for shying away from humanizing our birth.(pg.220)

2. lastly, tackling the importance of taking political action. Against insurance companies who are rather against us than for us. their greediness and incentive for money over powering their actual care and worry's of patient.(pg.228)

3.Your budget breakdown of the spending on American healthcare, spending on obstetrician which is double compared to a mid-wive. the main incentive is profit and its easily seen in how obstetrician and hospitals take care of things. whats more important, money or the health of a women and her baby? answer is quite obvious(pg.243,244)

The main purpose of your book was to inform the public of the faults of our maternity care system. when it comes to making your book better, it doesn't really tackle the physiological battle that women face. their=r own voice and experiences can make this book very strong than it already is. Let it be clear - your text used a lot of stories and statistical data the empowers each of your arguments. Given that aim, and your book, the best advice I would give for a 2nd edition of the text would be, more emotion. even though the stories of the women are their, their voice should be included. maybe they can even give a positive experience of giving birth in the hospital.But I don't want you to feel like I'm criticizing. I appreciate the immense amount of labor you dedicated to this important issue and particularly for making me think about our society and how we go about birth not looking into our alternatives and letting a natural experience be in the hands of doctors and a inhumane hospitals.  In fact, I'm likely to do a little advocacy myself when others are not aware of mid-wives and birth centers,  things of that nature. i come to look at the birth and the way people go about it differently, and how this decision can really impact, even alter someones life. its important to have knowledge on this subject because at one point, birth will come around.Thanks! Talking to you gives me hope about our future as a society!

Sincerely,

Tamiko Orasio

HW 39 - Insights from Book - Part 2

My initial prediction to how Born In The USA by Marsden Wagner, would be structured to initially elaborate on the dominant social practice of conceiving a baby in a hospital vs. an organic birth process that occurs in the home with a midwife. Through the first 100 pages Marsden Wagner tackled the nightmarish acts of obstetricians, their selfish tendencies, convenience, unnecessary surgeries, medication and lastly lack of communication between the patients. After reading up to 200 page, the author looks to acknowledge the fact that a home birth that is under supervision of a mid-wife is much safer than if it were under a doctor. This type of birth process is less common because many women aren’t notified of their options, especially in our present American Society. Through these second 100 pages I was able to learn much more of what a midwife actually does, their procedures and alternative birth centers (ABC). The author makes sure to make distinct distinction between having your birth monitored and controlled by an obstetrician and one by a mid-wife. By referring back to a hospital birth as much as possible. On page 151 it states, " Meanwhile, woman are telling another story, as e-mail messages fly among mid-wives, women’s groups, and consumer groups exposing the ways the medical world is trying to limit a woman's legitimate choice of place of birth and birth attendant". The author try’s to convey to the reader that women have a choice, the right, to do what they want to have the most beautiful birth process that they believe is personally and physically most right.

Not knowing much about alternative birth centers, I took it upon myself to further my research on the topic. "A birthing center allows you to plan for your baby's birth and delivery environment - for example, who you want to be present, whether you wish to walk around during labor, what positions you prefer for giving birth, and even the small things that can sometimes be important at times of stress such as what you wear and eat can be at your discretion. Birthing centers usually welcome mothers who want to have natural child birth, and those who choose to breast feed and are experienced to help you if this is the kind of birth you desire" (http://www.parentprofiles.com/pregnancy-articles/birthing-centers-an-alternative-to-hospital-deliveries). An alternative birth center gives the women the opportunity to have full control of their birth. Implementing and furthering the fact that giving birth to another human is a beautiful process. Offering women a much more comfortable environment than that of the hospital, who you wish to be present and overall just a strong bond of communication between the midwife and the patient. 

HW 38 - Insights from pregnancy & birth book - part 1

First 100 Pages

Author of Born in the USA Marden Wagner, organizes the book in a strategic way to get his point across to an audience that isn’t that knowledgeable about the maternity care system. At the very beginning of the book he provides the readers with a preface, explaining his background, experiences and motives in the book. Than furthering it with birth stories that show exactly what point he is trying to give off. Marden Wagner tries to "blow" the caution whistle as he says to answer and show,

How an American Maternity Care System that is putting woman and babies, the most vulnerable members of society, at risk?

From the first pages of the text i found myself engaged, the author placing me the reader as an observer in maternity stories. He shows the injustices in the way nurses and doctors treat the patients when their giving birth. Not giving them the constitutional rights, by asserting and giving them what they ask for but instead inducing them with numerous medications that puts them at risk. A maternity care system that rushes a beautiful experience and makes it a painful and unjust one. when reading this i find myself nodding "yes", because i myself see the way doctors and nurses go about their jobs as if their working for the MTA. Doctors have the most important jobs, that is why their paid so much, but they follow a procedure for their patient who is giving birth as if it were their own. Giving unnecessary drugs and surgery’s such as Episiotomy, Vacuum to suck a baby out of the women. Rushing the birth and its contractions. Lastly giving C-sections that also have seen to me beneficial to the doctor more than the patient. The procedure statistically increasing over the years which statistically have been rising over the years.

Important issues that must be taken into consideration when two life’s are in jeopardy are an agreement before the whole process of childbearing occurs. The medication that is provided. Consent with their family members. Procedures that are agreed upon by patient and family but also one that isn’t induced with inappropriate medications and drugs. Also, how great is it to have a man tell you exactly how things are going to go? A woman who possesses knowledge and confidence in the filed should be talked about. Men can never be feminist and not know exactly what it takes to give birth to another human being.

I find the Marsden Wagner’s arguments very valid and reliable because there is no difficulty in me reading this. I mean that this isn’t a fictional book from an English class; it’s a book on birth. Birth comes with many matters, medication which includes drugs that he clearly explains why their used or shouldn’t be used. Clearly provides the reader with little notes that won’t have them left behind because of the lack of knowledge that he himself has gained because of years as a medical student, public health specialist and work in a hospital. To tackle something as controversial and complicated as birth, especially with a book, Marsden Wagner does a great job because of his previous work.

Book Idea

If i were to make my own book it would have a layout that is similar to Marsden Wagner’s Born In the USA. I would start the book off with a couple pages on why i chose to write this book and my background on the topic of birth. I would first bring about a story of a natural birth, than a non- organic birth process that occurs in the hospital. But i would put forward a birth story that occurred in the hospital that the mother felt was unpleasant and one that another felt satisfied.

EQ: What is the happiest, personal and independent way you would want to give birth in the United States?

“Generally speaking, most of us would prefer not to have a surgeon taking charge during a normal life event"(pg.21)

Thesis: A birth that is under the control of the individual giving birth rather than the doctor, who isn’t for being a nurturer but a professional "helper", is a birth that is much more independent and pleasant in the United States.

"Hospitals have their own brand of omerta"(pg.23)

“Although many women might be willing to take risks with their own bodies for pain relief, very few women are willing to put their babies at risk"(pg.55)

Points: Medical, natural, physical, psychological and laws that come with an organic or fixed birth process. These points would be explained through anecdotal, statistical and logical evidence. With doctors, nurses, patients and family’s members point of view. Also an alternative point of view coming from someone who gave birth out of the United States.

HW 36 - Pregnancy & Birth Stories

Interview 1

My first interviewee let me know that her first two births were "normal". Hearing from previous birth stories that she had heard herself and what she saw in the media surrounding birth she felt that was the only way. She said had an epidural and received a bunch of medication to hurry her contractions and hurry the process of her birth. I asked her, "how the birth would have went if a doctor assistance wasn’t involved?” she said she wouldnt know a better way of giving birth without a doctors asstistance. She said she focused on relaxation and all the instructions, still receiving a painful birth, which was what she expected.

This birth story i felt was one that is timeless. Many people in our society do not understand the culture that the American society and the hospitals have inflicted. The fact that she didn’t know an alternative to giving birth. So it was in the hospitals hands. She didn’t know that those drugs and instructions she was given was unnecessary but instead felt it was needed. It was what ALWAYS happens.

Interview 2

Unlike interviewee 1, interviewee 2 had a relatively easy birth. Even though she gave birth to her only child in a hospital in New York City. She said she wasn’t really a person who relied on other help with many things, so she wanted the same for her birth. She used the same usual meditation practices that she uses at home on a daily basis as in the hospital bed. She understood the effects of the drugs that doctors give patients and wanted to feel and know everything that was being done. She asked as much questions as possible, refused epidural and systematic medications. She felt overall proud of her experience because she felt it wasn’t fully natural but satisfying and more independent than others.

This interview stood out than the other because unlike many she felt the need to question what the doctor did. She came into the hospital where she knew it wouldn’t be the exact birth she would have hoped for, but the only thing she felt she had any knowledge on. But with that knowledge she obtained she knew how to make her birth process more hers, and more independent.

Interview 3

Just as the previous two interviewee's, interviewee # 3 had given birth in the hospital 3 times. This one apart from the other though was not surprising but very insightful and saddening. This is because she said her first birth was the worse of them all. She said she’d tried to refrain from getting an epidural to relieve her pain but shed given into it because of her doctor’s words. "It will really help". The doctor also told her that a spinal block would be the best thing to do as well because it would reduce pain rapidly and help epidural. She was conscious throughout her birth but she felt beat. The drugs had gotten to her but she didn’t care much about herself. More the baby. She wanted the baby to have the best birth possible.

Interviewee 3 gave the answers and point of view of the common American. Unlike the others she gave me much more of societal views on birth and major perspective that a women has when giving birth. Just like interviewee 3 she didn’t care about anything that was being done to her body, but more of the baby's successful birth. Like many people, the doctors words are what are followed because their kind state is impaired and their unconscious worries about their baby come into play was they lay in their hospital bed.

What are the worries before birth and during a birth in the hospital? How do they change, were they what that individual expected?

HW 35 - Other Peoples' Perspectives 1

“So what comes to mind when you think of birth"? This was the first and initial question I asked for every interview. It gave me the ability to feed off the interviewee and expand off their bubbles. no simple question that brought some sort of dry conversation what so ever The 3 people who I asked were all 17-19 years of age. One being a guy and 2 being a girl. The immediate response from the 18 year old girl was her thoughts on the grueling 9 month process of giving birth. "What happens in those 9 months?"  She said that during those 9 months it’s a must to follow instructions. Knowledge gained from family members being pregnant and knowing what the right thing to do is. “Are you up for the part? Are you ready for something like birth? To my surprise, this question needed to be asked and secondly it didn't have hesitant response. She simply said I'm not ready not, but when time comes. I will or will prepare myself to be.  "

 I wasn't startled from the rushed and "Americanized" thinking of my male interviewee’s answers. He was hesitant unlike the others and he was cluttered with bubbles. You could see this topic wasn’t he would regularly talk about.  He couldn't contemplate whether or not he can deal with the immediate maturity that comes with birth. I wondered why he seemed so afraid. "Why does maturity scare you"? He said he's not scared of maturity in general but another life, most of all a baby. Is hard "god dam' work.  It was the hard work that frightened him.                

When you stop and listen. And articulate whatever you’re told and taught about. You learn more, you’re engaged so you observe and admire. Through these interviews birth seemed as a natural thing in life that you must "put up and shut up" in the females eyes. But not the male. Male are usually references as the stronger ones in society but when it comes to birth. Something with a physiological and physical affect women have the upper hand. Which brings me to my last question. Who is stronger overall or when it comes to birth? Men or female.

HW 34 - Some Initial Thoughts On Birth

The idea of birth is seen as a beautiful and naturally occurring thing in the human life. Birth is the beginning of someones life story and death is the end of it. When you come to think about, is death the only moment in life that brings fear? As we seem to come up with things like the ipad to make "life easier", similar how we've been advancing with medication to refrain from birth and lessen its physical affect. So is birth so beautiful? I still believe it is, but we provide contraceptives like the morning after pill(e.c), the condom, the ring, the shot and more to sugar code and cover up birth. Makes me think of makeup and how  sometimes its used to bring  out the beautiful its also a way to hide.                                                    

 

Fear is something everyone faces in life. Birth and its process is scary by itself, but the pysological affect it has on an individual is scary. The way fear can grab a hold of someone who isn't ready for what comes before and after birth. Sad to say but its hard not to notices a number of single mothers walking down the street on a daily basis.  

Questions:

• u.s pregnancy rate vs. other countrys
• how does social class play a role in ones views on birth?
• why such a painful process?
•  what are the responsibilites of both genders before and after birth?
• why is it such a contraversial and sensitive topic?

HW 32 - Thoughts following illness & dying unit

I never knew i would look so closely at death and illness as i did in this unit. Intellectually analyzing the cause and affects of death and illness and how it plays a part in peoples lives. Experiencing death and illness with my own eyes throughout childhood made me intrigued in learning about it. and noticing the dominant social practices that were left unnoticed. for instance the "ill" being isolated in a home or a hospital.  letting others deal with the "ill", doctors and nurses and the consumption of drugs. we never look exactly at what causes death or illness but more the emotional toll it takes. throughout my life I've only looked at death and illness as an up and coming tragic time in life. something most likely occurs at old age. but that's not the case. throughout the unit i came to realize that death has many counter parts, religion, terminal illness, hereditary illness, emotional impact and the physical.

Looking at the health care system and the culture of our hospitals really put things in perspective for me. this is because your able to see that the poor health of individuals in the United States is due to our culture its self, but  the treatment given. treatment that is Solly based on getting you "more days" of dying than actually being happy and confronting death. putting drugs in your system because they think that's the best way to treat someone who is dying. Sicko and the reading of excerpts helped me see that the main incentive of our health care system is money and not the health of the individuals. we must look at exactly whats the cause of dieing and its affect. we eat unhealthy food not realizing that this can lead to developing a sickness like diabetes. Having a balanced outlook  on things gives you insight on how you want to live your life and end it as well life. Dying happy is better than dying full of sadness and regret.