Peninsula Birth Support enjoyed the company of midwives Helen Barrington and Janie Nottingham this afternoon. The discussion meeting was very relaxed and informal with women sharing their own experiences, asking questions and listening to the midwives share their perspectives and experiences too.
The topic was antenatal testing. Helen and Janie stressed the importance of being prepared for what the result of any test you consent to during pregnancy, will mean to you personally. For example, what will you do if the test comes back negative or positive? Will it change your plans? Will it change your feelings about this pregnancy or towards your baby?
The midwives also reminded attendees regularly that anyone can decline anything suggested or offered to them during pregnancy and birth by their careproviders, no matter where they are giving birth. This led into a discussion about the power imbalance between careproviders and birthing women and strategies for navigating the system and keeping themselve and their babies safe.
Peninsula Birth Support meets again on May 21st. The Eastside Midwives will return to discuss routine interventions during childbirth
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