As some of you know, my experience as a birth doula is what initially inspired this series. I wanted to bring issues surrounding childbirth out into the open, to start a dialogue around these rarely discussed topics. This video is a return to that original intention, after a historic gathering of nurses, doulas and midwives took place at Cedars Sinai hospital here in Los Angeles.
In the few years I’ve been a doula, I’ve been at different times both heartened and discouraged by the stance taken in hospitals. Tonight revealed that, at least in some circles, we are moving towards mutual respect, cooperation, communication and most important, a shared vision of care and empowerment for laboring women.
What is your experience of hospital birth? What do you associate with the idea of birthing in a hospital?