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Aug. 6th, 2007 05:21 pmIt really is the small things that make a massive difference. I know this from my placements, have bounced about it in the past when people have thanked me for a small thing I did that made a difference.
Today, someone did one small thing that made a huge difference to me. One of mum's nuns (who was pretty big in obstetric circles and had the Masters of the Dublin maternity hospitals oohing and aahing when they visited her a few months back) sent home a few articles about midwifery "for your daughter." They're not your bog standard information articles, but stories of people who've done work with MSF, the MMMs and the like. Reading them reminded me how much I want to do what I do, why I want to do it, how challenging it is and yet how ultimately rewarding.
I've been having a bit of a crisis of faith of sorts in the last few weeks. Not to the extent of considering withdrawing from the course, just a horrible feeling of facing a constant battle. Even my own meagre experiences to date show just how much we're expected to slot into a hospital system that deals with pregnancy as an illness. Episiotomies without consent, drugs given without informed consent, talking down to women and their families, no input from women about whether or not they understand and consent to different procedures. I don't put up with that. I don't have much time for people who assault others. But it can wear one down after a while. Being on the other end recently with J made it even harder.
Small things make a difference. I'd forgotten what it's like to be on the receiving end. A doc who worked mostly in obstetrics, reminded me of everything I've been talking about for years.
Today, someone did one small thing that made a huge difference to me. One of mum's nuns (who was pretty big in obstetric circles and had the Masters of the Dublin maternity hospitals oohing and aahing when they visited her a few months back) sent home a few articles about midwifery "for your daughter." They're not your bog standard information articles, but stories of people who've done work with MSF, the MMMs and the like. Reading them reminded me how much I want to do what I do, why I want to do it, how challenging it is and yet how ultimately rewarding.
I've been having a bit of a crisis of faith of sorts in the last few weeks. Not to the extent of considering withdrawing from the course, just a horrible feeling of facing a constant battle. Even my own meagre experiences to date show just how much we're expected to slot into a hospital system that deals with pregnancy as an illness. Episiotomies without consent, drugs given without informed consent, talking down to women and their families, no input from women about whether or not they understand and consent to different procedures. I don't put up with that. I don't have much time for people who assault others. But it can wear one down after a while. Being on the other end recently with J made it even harder.
Small things make a difference. I'd forgotten what it's like to be on the receiving end. A doc who worked mostly in obstetrics, reminded me of everything I've been talking about for years.
