Posts Tagged ‘A Baby Story’

April 23rd, 2010

Home Births on A Baby Story

Next weeks there will be two episodes of TLC’s A Baby Story which include Home Births. One with the local midwife Amy Romano who is a good friend of mine. But what will be most touching to me is Karen Kilson, my late doula, and best friend will also be featured in the same episode. She passed away in October suddenly of a heart attack, and I think I am still in disbelief today. Watching the episode featuring her will probably make my disbelief even stronger as I will be able to see her alive and well, doing what she did best : supporting women in labor.

But the real point of this post today is my amazement that A Baby Story is FINALLY branching out into alternative types of birth. Not your typical mainstream hospital birth, scheduled cesareans, elective inductions and all of the births that make me scream my head off at the TV.

I think it is good for TLC to really start showing other types of birth, not just the typical drive through hospital service, because there are so many women out there who use shows like this as a form of education on birth, and become scared to death from the scary hospital births.  I know I certainly got my share of scares when I was pregnant with my oldest by watching that show. I am glad I know better now, and know that the majority of the problems in these births come from the mismanagement or over management of the births.

Another positive message of this show is, with trained medical professionals, home birth is a safe birth option, which many of us know, but it certainly is not mainstream knowledge.  By showing women that may not know any better that home birth is a safe option for birth, there may be more that make the educated choice for home birth.

The two families featured in the show are The Sheehan and Malak families.
The Malak family’s show is described as : ” Finding out they were expecting their fourth child was shocking to the Malak Family. The plan is to have this baby at home. But after 10 hours of labor and no relief in sight, will Maria find the strength to push through?”

Which kind of pisses me off. 10 hours of labor is nothing, especially natural labor. Try 26 hours like I went and then we will talk. This mentality regarding childbirth is what is creating and aiding the mentality of the women who say “OMG I would NEVER have a baby without an epidural” or the women who end up in the hospital, in labor and requesting an epidural at 2 or 3 centimeters which then sets them up for a longer labor, and possibly a cesarean section.

The Sheehan Family’s show is described as : “Glorvina and her husband, Jason, were ready to try something different. They did some research and found a midwife they trust, and are ready to have a water birth at home. When delivery day finally ensues, Glorvina realizes fast that she’s not in control.”

Dun Dun Dun!  They make it sound like a dramatic episode of Private Practice in which Addison Montgomery busts into the room screaming the mother needs a c-section or she is going to die.  Which was the farthest thing from the truth for Glorvina.

I guess I can’t be all that surprised that TLC had to throw in dramatic wording to get viewers on birth, after all, who wants to watch some crazy hippies birthing at home right? UGH!