SPECIAL INTEREST
BIRTH: THE ULTIMATE FIRST IMPRESSION
Make it a Loving One
(continued)
Over the past few years, I have been working on better ways to implement these three important keys. It is my view that, other than handling emergency situations, the most important things an obstetrician can do will occur before the patient goes into labor. Nobody achieves their best "performance" without doing their homework before hand. With my patients, I present the opportunity to carry out this homework in five ways: through handouts, books, videos, Lamaze and other classes available through the hospital, and through taking time to encourage questions from the family and provide sound and sensitive answers.
The handouts cover practice logistics, labor guides, siblings, and how to work with the unborn child. The books provided are mentioned above. I produce my own videos through a professional audio-visual company, which features my patients. I produced these videos to visually illustrate loving and positive, family-oriented childbirth. One other tape, which relates to the book Secret Life of the Unborn Child, is used. I tell my patients that the materials can be made available to the family; however, it is the family's choice as to whether or not they will take advantage of the information and create a good birth experience for themselves. Even a progressive and caring physician cannot prevent the family from creating a negative birth experience if that is their inclination.