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From: GlennRMark@aol.com[SMTP:GlennRMark@aol.com]
Sent: Monday, May 27, 1996 7:31 PM
To: tjkurokawa@mcn.net
Subject: Re: caring for family members
As a military obstetrician I greatly resent the statement that " A military
hospital and a good birth experience would seem to be conflicting issues". We provide the same type of care as the civilian
community, we just happen to be in the military. I'm glad you and your
daughter had a positive experience, and I assure you this is the rule not the
exception.
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Dear Glenn,
I agree, the military may have gotten a bad rep here, and maybe unfounded. Prior to going to germany, I put out a lot of feelers in the midwifery community regarding practices at military hospitals. Most of the responses were overwhelmingly negative, the main complaint being "they herd you through like animals, you never know which dr you will have, automatic IV's and Episiotomy, and so on.
So when we toured the hospital in Wurzburg, we were pleasantly surprised to find they used LDR's and had also instituted mother baby nursing, meaning mom and baby were never separated.
The OB was moderately comfortable with the birth plan Idea and was willing to work with us. The nursing staff was absolutely wonderful. I think it helped that the hospital had a fairly small ob unit. Apparently only 30 births a month or so.
All in all, it was an excellent experience. I believe most of the previous info I had recieved was from a few years ago, and that there have been lots of changes since then. I hope not just in Wurzburg.
Sorry if you felt offended. Maybe the military needs to do some PR to overcome the negative image : - )
Coyote Jude (A coyote midwife sits by the hole and waits)
Jude Kurokawa, CNM (tjkurokawa@mcn.net)
Wolf Point, MT (The last best place)
