For this project, my peers and I visited St. Luke's Roosevelt hospital on 59th and 10th. There we interviewed staff in the Delivery Education Department, the Delivery Department, and the Post-Partum department about their views and the views of the hospital regarding the birthing process.
All interviewees are anonymous in order to protect them, as they may have said things that contradicted with the beliefs of their employer. I realize that providing their job title may shed some light on who they are, so I will be vague. In my speech, I will provide this information.
The first lady that we interviewed, was a nurse from the Post-Partum Deparment. The interview went as follows.
(Interviewer: JM Interviewee: N)
JM: Why did you choose this field of work?
N: I'm not the right one to be asking, but I'll tell you what I'm supposed to say. I chose it because I love mothers and babies. Not because my friend was head of the floor and told me to work here.
(We exchange laughter.)
JM: What are your views on the rising rates of C-Sections in America?
N: It's terrible. I think it's just a convience to doctors and patients (mothers). If you dont want to have a baby on a Saturday, you just have a C-Section.
JM: Do you think the use of Epidural and Pitocin are more beneficial to mothers & babies or the doctor?
N: They're not always beneficial for mothers & babies. They should only be used if the baby is long overdue. Birth should be natural and vaginal. Some doctors do believe in natural birth, too.
JM: How do you feel about midwifery and homebirths?
N: I think it's great, we should have more midwives. You should write this down somewhere, 'Birthing has always been one of the most natural processes, we need to remember that.
JM: Do you think it's right that doctors are trained to think every birth is a high risk, emergency/surgical procedure?
N: Well, I wouldn't say that's totally true. But, at any sign of distress it;s necessary to save the baby. You've got to get the baby out.
JM: Thank you so much.
N: No problem.
(We walk to the nurses' station)
N: You need to leave now.
JM: Okay. Thank you, again.
The second lady we interviewed was the Director of the Educational Department (within Delivery).
(Interviewer: JM Interviewee: D)
JM: What are your views on the rising rates of C-Sections in America?
D: I'm proud to say that we have the lowest C-section rate in the city. I think C-sections should happen when they're needed.
JM: How do you feel about midwifery and homebirths?
D: Midwifery is great.
JM: Do you think it's right that doctors are trained to think every birth is a high risk, emergency/surgical procedure?
D: Doctors are trained to deal with high-risk cases, but most cases are normal. Their training teaches them to be aware of risks.
JM: Thank you so much.
D: No problem.
The third lady we interviewed was the a nurse of the Delivery Unit.
(Interviewer: JM Interviewee: N)
JM: Why did you choose this field of work?
N: As a young girl I was very interested in nursing and pregnant women and their babies.
JM: What are your views on the rising rates of C-Sections in America?
N: I don't like them. They should only be carried out when absolutely necessary.
JM: Do you think the use of Epidural and Pitocin are more beneficial to mothers & babies or the doctor?
N: Women should have the choice on what drugs they want administered. I personally didn't have epidural when I had my two children, but I would never judge someone who did. Pitocin is a very serious drug and should be used judiciously. You should use the least amount necessary. Instead of using six, maybe use two.
JM: How do you feel about midwifery and homebirths?
N: In my country, most babies were born in homebirths, but it is a different culture. Personally, I would feel more safe in a hospital, knowing there is medical equipment on site and rooms for surgery. It's more appealing.
JM: Do you think it's right that doctors are trained to think every birth is a high risk, emergency/surgical procedure?
N: I think doctors are not educated enough in the natural birthing process. OB/GYNs need more education. When I was in school, we trained with midwives, it was mandatory.
JM: Thank you so much.
N: No problem. Good luck on your project.
I love how the opinion of this woman completely goes against the hospitals beliefs. I dont think it was a bias opinion because she works there and she has the first hand point of view.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite part was,
JM: Do you think it's right that doctors are trained to think every birth is a high risk, emergency/surgical procedure?
N: I think doctors are not educated enough in the natural birthing process. OB/GYNs need more education. When I was in school, we trained with midwives, it was mandatory.
The fact that doctors are actually trained by midwives is really interesting but yet its like the battle of the fittest and they try to out bid one another, they try to prove why they're better than one another. I actually enjoyed reading this post.
Jay,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your interview. I especially liked how the women you interviewed was not seen as the traditional standards of someone in her line of work. Your most insightful line was, t's terrible. I think it's just a convience to doctors and patients (mothers). If you dont want to have a baby on a Saturday, you just have a C-Section. That was interesting because it showed her true opinion on the matter.
I really liked how you found a hsopital that ctually didn't do hardly any c-sections. Most other hospitals seem to do C sections alot, so to be able to find one was really cool. Also when you mentioned C section and you said one of the ladies didn't feel right, it was cool to , because that showed that they are completely against it
ReplyDeleteThe interviews sound good- from the looks of it, you got more out of the Nurses than the director. Why do you suppose that is?
ReplyDeleteIn any case, it was a good post, and you seem to have a good way of talking to people so that they feel encouraged to speak honestly.