Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Wise women choose their doctors and trust them. The wisest ask the fewest questions.
I am currently reading the book Lying-In A History of Childbirth in America by Richard W,. Wertz and Dorothy C Wertz for my History of Midwifery module. The wealth of knowledge I am obtaining through this study is overwhelming, enrages me and inspires me all at the same time. Basically throughout the 1800's and 1900's women have be lead into a model of health care that preyed upon societies belief that they were inferior and not intelligent or trustworthy enough to make their own decisions! This combined with a DVD I watched on Susan B. Anthony and Elisabeth Cady Stanton has stoked a fire in my belly for the injustices forced upon women in the name of religion, society and patriotism. I don't have the words today for all that I am thinking but I wanted to share this quote from the above mentioned book that I read and highlighted last night while reading.
"Quote from a book I'm reading for my midwifery course. " S.Weir Mitchell, a prominent nineteenth-century physician to women, described the ideal patient thus: ' Wise women choose their doctors and trust them. The wisest ask the fewest questions. The terrible patients are the nervous women with long memories, who question much where answers are difficult. The nervous woman should be made to comprehend at the outset that the physician means to have his way unhampered by the subtle distinctions with which bedridden women are apt to trouble those who most desire to help them."
Reading this material has made me both enraged and thankful at the same time. Enraged at the mental and physical suffering that women had to endure at the hands of male Dr.'s and the society that supported this horrible lie. Thankful that women and men stood up for women's rights and continue to do so now. Women we are able to think for ourselves, we don't need to trust the Dr.'s knowledge of our bodies over their knowledge. Unfortunately in my experience with some medical Dr.'s even today this same mentality is present when dealing with a parents knowledge of what's happening with their child, and even when dealing with mine or my husbands health.
"Quote from a book I'm reading for my midwifery course. " S.Weir Mitchell, a prominent nineteenth-century physician to women, described the ideal patient thus: ' Wise women choose their doctors and trust them. The wisest ask the fewest questions. The terrible patients are the nervous women with long memories, who question much where answers are difficult. The nervous woman should be made to comprehend at the outset that the physician means to have his way unhampered by the subtle distinctions with which bedridden women are apt to trouble those who most desire to help them."
Reading this material has made me both enraged and thankful at the same time. Enraged at the mental and physical suffering that women had to endure at the hands of male Dr.'s and the society that supported this horrible lie. Thankful that women and men stood up for women's rights and continue to do so now. Women we are able to think for ourselves, we don't need to trust the Dr.'s knowledge of our bodies over their knowledge. Unfortunately in my experience with some medical Dr.'s even today this same mentality is present when dealing with a parents knowledge of what's happening with their child, and even when dealing with mine or my husbands health.
New blogging purpose.
I've been thinking about this for months and now I've decided to blog my thoughts and opinions rather than post them to facebook. I'm pretty sure there are very few of my facebook friends who care about my midwifery education, my political view points or my theology. I really think that God is doing somethings in me that are causing me to be more vocal and it really does help me in my walk to speak my mind on things I believe in. I don't want to run the risk of alienating people who are family, friends and acquaintances but I do feel the need for an outlet. Lets face it, facebook should not be my pulpit for every cause and every thought that I have. Not every person I went to grade school, long lost auntie or friend from church really wants to know every detail of my inner personality and my faith as I walk it out. However there are many people who will identify and find encouragement from reading a blog entry of a stranger going through a similar thing. If you want a raw picture of me, go ahead and follow me on my blog. I will respect your opinions if you choose to share them with me on my blog even if they are contrary to mine. It has been spoken about me many times in my life that I "wear my heart on my sleeve" I want to continue to be open and to do that. I think my blog will be a better place for it. If you want to hear what I think and have to say, read my blog. If not, I'll be sharing photos, videos, prayer requests and cute stories and quotes on facebook in a more limited traditional facebookie sort of way. I will sometimes post a link to a blog update on facebook just to let you know I've posted. Feel free to read it or to not. Blessings friends and family!
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