Interview with the Local Midwife
Today, to put my husband’s mind at ease I agreed to meet with the midwife just once. Well, I’m glad I did. It reassured me with regard to my being drawn to UC. The appointment was about 20 minutes long. She had met me twice before when I had seen her in December for that pregnancy prior to my miscarriage, so she knew my feelings about the "routine" prenatal testing. This time she didn’t even discuss them with me she just filled out the lab requestion forms and handed them to me. I fail to understand why these test are routine. I am not a IV drug user, I’m in a five and a half year monogmous relationship (and have had the STD tests with each of my prior children), I had a rubella booster with my first child, I don’t believe that glucose testing is valid and if the test is positive that treatment improves outcomes, I have had my blood typed with each child and with my D&C (but apparently she cannot just take my word for it) and it would be easier to obtain this information from visiting the adjoining office where the doctor who attended Xander’s birth practices. But what kills me the worst is that I am not given a choice in this matter. I am just expected to turn myself up at the hospital lab with two toddlers in tow when my health care provider orders me to. Does OHIP give her more money for each additional prenatal test ordered? Does she have to provide paperwork to OHIP to keep her licence? And if so why could a waiver from me not suffice?? Truly, this makes me even more sure I do not need a birth attendant who I will continually need to battle with all through my pregnancy and birth for my rights.
Nic has made me agree to one more meeting with her to see if we can come to an agreement (so if we need back up we don’t need the hospital) but I know what will happen, she is too enmeshed in the medical model to truly trust birth I think. She only does about four homebirths a year; most of her practice is hospital based.
Hi, this is my first visit. Let me just say that I admire you for deciding on UC. I can understand that you wouldn’t receive much support in that decision, but the fact that you are continuing with your plans in spite of it is truly admirable. God bless you, your family, and your pregnancy!
Comment by Denise Anderson — May 14, 2009 @ 1:58 pm
Wow. Just wow. It’s not that I’d not be willing to go back once more if it made my partner happy but what a waste of time it would be… again.
I think it’s wonderful that you are knowledgeable and confident enough to see through the ridiculousness.
Comment by Annie — May 16, 2009 @ 11:41 pm
Thank you everyone for your support.
Comment by regressingsahmama — May 17, 2009 @ 11:52 am