Jezebel-"What is 'Birth Rape'"

[Halubaris Maphotika]

http://jezebel.com/5632689/what-is-birth-rape

 

uh huh

 

 

Well discuss... If that is even possible. I am actually making this topic because I don't actually understand what he/she is trying to say, so perhaps you guys can clarify for me wtf this article is about.

[LordCowCowCowCowCowCowCowCow]

From what I'm reading it SOUNDS like they're talking about doctors being inconsiderate and cold during examinations of pregnant women, and forcing emergency operations, which can make the entire process distressing? (Something that's very bad for a pregnant woman). I'm...not sure though.

[(GigaDrillBreaker)]

I mean, I disagree with calling it rape, but if the hyperbole isn't too strong in the article (I wouldn't know, I haven't been pregnant before) it is a legitimate issue that really should have attention brought to it. Honestly, I walked into the article thinking "time for today's serving of sensationalist bullshit" but at the end of the day... I kinda agree.

[vla1ne]

I have multiple objections to this article. I can't fully express how wrong it is. really, it has a point when it reprimands the one doctor for unprofessional actions, but at the same time, it's attempting to frame childbirth as some kind of violation by the doctors. i might not be understanding it fully but there is a comment below the article that describes much of what i think here

[spoiler/]

I'm certainly not defending in any way a doctor that deliberately violates his patient during birth (or any other time). But my mother was an obstetrician, and my sister is doing her residency in obstetrics (I'm a law student), and recently they phoned me with a dilemma and wanted to get a "legal" take on it.

My sister was in the delivery room and the woman who was in labour was refusing a procedure. I'm not familiar with labour language, but my understanding was that the procedure would facilitate the birth of her child and save the child some distress. That is, she was having trouble giving birth and they wanted to do a procedure that would speed things up, because the doctors were concerned that having the woman continue to push would cause the baby (and possibly the mother) harm. The mother was refusing to have it done and was insisting that she continue pushing normally and seemed to be completely disregarding the fact that pushing was putting her baby at risk (there wasn't time to get into the psychology/reasons of why the mother was refusing it). My sister said that the doctor chose to do the procedure anyway because the woman was becoming upset and the baby's heart rate was doing something bad, but to be clear, the woman had expressly and repeatedly stated that she didn't want the procedure.

They wanted to know my opinion on what the doctor should have done in that situation, and I was completely stumped. Obviously you have an obligation to do what your patient wants and should never pursue procedures or disregard your patients' orders. But who is the patient for the obstetrician? Is it the mother, or the baby? If the mother is refusing something, but it's best for the baby, what is the doctor to do? Whose health/life takes precedence?

I'm not at all suggesting that the doctor should behave roughly or violently, or be rude or treat the mother horribly (as the case cited above is traumatizing, and should have resulted in a much higher fine). But in birthing things can happen very quickly and my sister's point is that there wasn't (and isn't always) time in the moment to sit down and have a rational discussion about what procedures are best and why and what should be done.

What do you guys think? If the facts of the case are that the baby needs a certain procedure to have a healthy successful birth and the mother doesn't want it done, for whatever her reasons, where does the duty of the doctor lie?

this is a legit question, and while i believe the default side is the mother, there are times when that's just not an option. this article is using rape as if it were a cover-all, and while it has some  valid points, they are presented in such a skewered light that i cannot bring myself to support them.

 

there's more i want to say, but that's really enough for now.

[Tentacruel]

I expected much worse from the article considering it's on Jezebel. 

To be honest, this is a really sticky issue but I would hesitate to throw the word "rape" around.  None of this is sexual in nature, it's medical.  

 

At the end of the day, I kind of agree with vlaine above me.  Also, I strongly advocate the widespread use of birth control so this sheet doesn't happen.  Giving birth sucks.  If you aren't prepared to deal with that sheet, don't.

[Trebuchet MS]

The term "birth rape" gives off several connotations and ends up warping impressions of the message.

 

Ethical issues in medicine get rather fuzzy when an extra life is involved. Patient consent is important, yes, but our job is also to keep all patients' well-being in mind, and that includes the baby. When both points are at odds, i.e. patient refusing a potentially life-saving treatment during an emergency where it's not convenient to talk things out, it becomes a little difficult in deciding priorities.

 

Ah, but improper conduct in the meantime is a definite no-go.

[epicmemesbro]

It appears as though people don't feel comfortable during the child bearing process. But it makes me wonder why they would want to have children in the first place if they don't want professionals to get the child out. Then again those that think that form of "rape" exists might be from those who have no desire to have children but rather try to place themselves in the shoes that do but biases when going into that pondering?

Similar to a man who is asking for directions. A guy assumes that he wants to go to the Statue of Liberty because this guy has been there before, where in reality the man wants to go to Times Square. You can't speak on the behalf of people who are going through things that are beyond your experiences.

That's my take at least.