The sticks we beat people with 👀

WHY is it that as soon as we gain more knowledge about a topic (let’s take Ehler Danlos syndrome, say), we start to use the information gained in a completely unnuanced way as a massive STICK to beat people with. Hard. Why?

For example, for some people with hEDS, there is a slightly higher probability of heavy bleeding, earlier rupture of membranes and significant tearing etc (simply put for this post, it’s a lot more nuanced and complex than this).

Solution? ‘You MUST birth in the consultant led unit, you are high risk!’ ‘Go see the consultant so you can make decisions that we feel are right for you!’

‘No waterbirth for you because you might bleed heavily.’

Instead of: ‘hEDS is slightly associated with some higher chance of complications such as earlier rupture of membranes, bleeding and perineal tears. Why don’t we have a chat about how you can minimise those chances and integrate the information into your plans? Yes, a homebirth in general lowers the risk of both excessive bleeding or severe tearing, so that is still a choice that you can make. Shall we talk about how positions and respecting physiology (and actually also birthing at home) can be protective against both of those issues too?’

Why can’t we use information to ADD positively to care and improve support and satisfaction instead of using it to LIMIT options, scare people and make them unhappy.

Using information to add positively to care does not mean that we don’t mention risks, it simply means that we do so with nuance and sensitivity, as well as the intention to help, rather than simply follow policy without regard for the individual.

Aaaaaaaaarrrghhhhhhh.