Comments on: Public Cans of Austin: Hotel San José http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2007/02/21/public-cans-of-austin-hotel-san-jose/ Sun, 20 Jul 2008 23:30:24 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.1 By: Doctor Switchblade « Touchingly Naive http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2007/02/21/public-cans-of-austin-hotel-san-jose/#comment-45427 Doctor Switchblade « Touchingly Naive Thu, 22 Mar 2007 22:05:19 +0000 http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2007/02/21/public-cans-of-austin-hotel-san-jose/#comment-45427 [...] Here is a nice man who looks after labouring women. My own words are failing me, so I’m just going to give you his (via Twisty): I never understood (and still don’t understand) why a birthing woman in pain would not want pain control any less than a person with appendicitis would not want anesthesia for an appendectomy. [...] […] Here is a nice man who looks after labouring women. My own words are failing me, so I’m just going to give you his (via Twisty): I never understood (and still don’t understand) why a birthing woman in pain would not want pain control any less than a person with appendicitis would not want anesthesia for an appendectomy. […]

]]> By: Mar Iguana http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2007/02/21/public-cans-of-austin-hotel-san-jose/#comment-38279 Mar Iguana Sat, 24 Feb 2007 15:51:50 +0000 http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2007/02/21/public-cans-of-austin-hotel-san-jose/#comment-38279 Joanna and Hawise, that intrathecal morphine stuff sounds like great stuff then. Lamaze definitely isn't for everyone. After all the women in my Lamaze class delivered we had a little reunion and it turned out I was the only one out of the entire class who had a painless birth. Joanna and Hawise, that intrathecal morphine stuff sounds like great stuff then.

Lamaze definitely isn’t for everyone. After all the women in my Lamaze class delivered we had a little reunion and it turned out I was the only one out of the entire class who had a painless birth.

]]> By: Urban http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2007/02/21/public-cans-of-austin-hotel-san-jose/#comment-38201 Urban Sat, 24 Feb 2007 00:23:35 +0000 http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2007/02/21/public-cans-of-austin-hotel-san-jose/#comment-38201 Jezebella: "By the way: I’ve been reading Shulamith Firestone while in airports and airplanes this last week, and find that it serves as a powerful deterrant to unwanted chat while on public transportation." Me too! It's great. Some dickwad tried to engage me in conversation across the aisle and I repelled him with the 'The Case for Feminist Revolution' tagline adjusted to his line of vision. It's a small book, fitting neatly into the Urban bag. I'm thinking I should just carry it around permanently. Jezebella: “By the way: I’ve been reading Shulamith Firestone while in airports and airplanes this last week, and find that it serves as a powerful deterrant to unwanted chat while on public transportation.”

Me too! It’s great. Some dickwad tried to engage me in conversation across the aisle and I repelled him with the ‘The Case for Feminist Revolution’ tagline adjusted to his line of vision.

It’s a small book, fitting neatly into the Urban bag. I’m thinking I should just carry it around permanently.

]]> By: Hawise http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2007/02/21/public-cans-of-austin-hotel-san-jose/#comment-38136 Hawise Fri, 23 Feb 2007 15:24:27 +0000 http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2007/02/21/public-cans-of-austin-hotel-san-jose/#comment-38136 No, not everything passes the barrier system in place to protect the baby or the barrier system that protects the brain. That does not mean that finding out which drug does and does not is not a medical hassle that anyone wants to participate in. Most such drugs are discovered accidentally because the mother's live is at such a risk that no other choice is possible. No, not everything passes the barrier system in place to protect the baby or the barrier system that protects the brain. That does not mean that finding out which drug does and does not is not a medical hassle that anyone wants to participate in. Most such drugs are discovered accidentally because the mother’s live is at such a risk that no other choice is possible.

]]> By: Mar Iguana http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2007/02/21/public-cans-of-austin-hotel-san-jose/#comment-38132 Mar Iguana Fri, 23 Feb 2007 14:35:58 +0000 http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2007/02/21/public-cans-of-austin-hotel-san-jose/#comment-38132 "I was given a shot of intrathecal morphine–masked the pain, but left me able to move, push, etc, and didn’t affect the baby." Joanna How is that possible? I thought anything that goes into a woman's body shoots right into the unborn's system within moments. “I was given a shot of intrathecal morphine–masked the pain, but left me able to move, push, etc, and didn’t affect the baby.” Joanna

How is that possible? I thought anything that goes into a woman’s body shoots right into the unborn’s system within moments.

]]> By: Spit The Dummy http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2007/02/21/public-cans-of-austin-hotel-san-jose/#comment-38121 Spit The Dummy Fri, 23 Feb 2007 12:11:29 +0000 http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2007/02/21/public-cans-of-austin-hotel-san-jose/#comment-38121 Lipstick-and-Birk-Wearing Momma says: <i>"I believe that the lemaze classes are an evil creation of the patriarchy whose primary purpose is to give the fathers something to do during the delivery. “Breathe, honey.” I wanted to rip his fucking penis off!"</i> Actually, while I agree that lemaze was pretty much a waste of time (NONE of those damned positions worked for me at all) the "breathe" thing was the one bit that did serve a useful purpose. With my first kid I had a very painful posterior labour and I would literally forget to breathe when the pain apex hit, so hubby's main job during the 24 hours before I had an emergency caesarian (kid was going into distress and I hadn't dialated even a little) was literally to remind me to breathe. I figured I'd be a yeller during labour and really snarl at everybody but the truth is I found I was literally speechless with the pain of it all. I haemorrhaged after the caesarian and had to go back into surgery for a little repair work. Kid was 23 inches long and weighed 9&1/2 pounds, most of it head, hands and feet. His brother was born by caesarian after a placental abruption and was 10 pounds and 24 inches long and all head. Apparently it took 3 doctors to haul him out, as he was stuck. I don't remember - they put me under a general ASAP. Of course, when all the drugs and shock had worn off - both times - I wanted to rip off my husband's fucking penis, too. And the ob/gyn's. I'm sure there are decent male gynaecologists out there; it's just that I haven't met one yet. And there aren't any female ones in my area - the male ob/gyn mafia squeezes them out, afraid of the competition. IBTP. Lipstick-and-Birk-Wearing Momma says:

“I believe that the lemaze classes are an evil creation of the patriarchy whose primary purpose is to give the fathers something to do during the delivery. “Breathe, honey.” I wanted to rip his fucking penis off!”

Actually, while I agree that lemaze was pretty much a waste of time (NONE of those damned positions worked for me at all) the “breathe” thing was the one bit that did serve a useful purpose. With my first kid I had a very painful posterior labour and I would literally forget to breathe when the pain apex hit, so hubby’s main job during the 24 hours before I had an emergency caesarian (kid was going into distress and I hadn’t dialated even a little) was literally to remind me to breathe. I figured I’d be a yeller during labour and really snarl at everybody but the truth is I found I was literally speechless with the pain of it all. I haemorrhaged after the caesarian and had to go back into surgery for a little repair work. Kid was 23 inches long and weighed 9&1/2 pounds, most of it head, hands and feet. His brother was born by caesarian after a placental abruption and was 10 pounds and 24 inches long and all head. Apparently it took 3 doctors to haul him out, as he was stuck. I don’t remember - they put me under a general ASAP.

Of course, when all the drugs and shock had worn off - both times - I wanted to rip off my husband’s fucking penis, too. And the ob/gyn’s. I’m sure there are decent male gynaecologists out there; it’s just that I haven’t met one yet. And there aren’t any female ones in my area - the male ob/gyn mafia squeezes them out, afraid of the competition. IBTP.

]]> By: Joanna http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2007/02/21/public-cans-of-austin-hotel-san-jose/#comment-38028 Joanna Thu, 22 Feb 2007 21:49:43 +0000 http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2007/02/21/public-cans-of-austin-hotel-san-jose/#comment-38028 There are other options besides an epidural that leaves you numb from the waist down and no meds. I was all up for the natural childbirth, but my water broke, my contractions were weak and there was a risk of infection, so I accepted the use of pitocin to start contractions. A few hours later, when there was almost no time between contractions, I was given a shot of intrathecal morphine--masked the pain, but left me able to move, push, etc, and didn't affect the baby. I had no side effects, but it can cause itching and puking. The whole experience went well, even though it wasn't what I'd imagined. I was treated with respect and kindness by every single doctor, nurse, resident and medical student who trooped through the room. By the time my baby was crowning, it was like a party. There are other options besides an epidural that leaves you numb from the waist down and no meds. I was all up for the natural childbirth, but my water broke, my contractions were weak and there was a risk of infection, so I accepted the use of pitocin to start contractions. A few hours later, when there was almost no time between contractions, I was given a shot of intrathecal morphine–masked the pain, but left me able to move, push, etc, and didn’t affect the baby. I had no side effects, but it can cause itching and puking. The whole experience went well, even though it wasn’t what I’d imagined. I was treated with respect and kindness by every single doctor, nurse, resident and medical student who trooped through the room. By the time my baby was crowning, it was like a party.

]]> By: FemiMom http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2007/02/21/public-cans-of-austin-hotel-san-jose/#comment-37956 FemiMom Thu, 22 Feb 2007 16:04:52 +0000 http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2007/02/21/public-cans-of-austin-hotel-san-jose/#comment-37956 Alarming Female: I am with you on the matriarchy track! When my 15 yr. old son brags that he can bench press more than I can, I counter that I am tougher cuz I birthed him. I swear, I was high on oxytocin for weeks! Alarming Female: I am with you on the matriarchy track! When my 15 yr. old son brags that he can bench press more than I can, I counter that I am tougher cuz I birthed him. I swear, I was high on oxytocin for weeks!

]]> By: Hawise http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2007/02/21/public-cans-of-austin-hotel-san-jose/#comment-37942 Hawise Thu, 22 Feb 2007 14:42:30 +0000 http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2007/02/21/public-cans-of-austin-hotel-san-jose/#comment-37942 I always get depressed at these birth horror story lines, I also always get hit. I had a thing called Silent labour- and no, I hadn't heard of it either. I spent a day thinking that I had a really bad urinary track infection and after my husband got home it just got worse. The nurses on the phone thought it might be Branxton Hicks even though I was a week late and to stand under a hot shower. My husband called my sister who was to drive us but that there was no rush and she could finish her favorite show. My water broke in the shower and the nurses insisted I get in -NOW. I quickly got into my ugly pregnancy sweats and we were out the door the second my sister showed up. The whole thing is a blur but long story short- I gave birth within fifteen minutes of arrival at the hospital, my Ob. never had a chance of getting in and I was already for drugs but never needed them. I had zero pain and it would appear that is relatively common in my family. When planning a pregnancy talk only to your maternal female relatives to get some clue what might happen, and once pregnant, nod pleasantly as every breeding age female gives you the most horrific stories imaginable. As for Dr. Switchblade, I'll stick with my geriatric ObGyn, who walked in the next day, told me I had caused quite a stir and by the way that was silent labour. If you have another, book into the hospital a week in advance. I always get depressed at these birth horror story lines, I also always get hit. I had a thing called Silent labour- and no, I hadn’t heard of it either. I spent a day thinking that I had a really bad urinary track infection and after my husband got home it just got worse. The nurses on the phone thought it might be Branxton Hicks even though I was a week late and to stand under a hot shower. My husband called my sister who was to drive us but that there was no rush and she could finish her favorite show. My water broke in the shower and the nurses insisted I get in -NOW. I quickly got into my ugly pregnancy sweats and we were out the door the second my sister showed up. The whole thing is a blur but long story short- I gave birth within fifteen minutes of arrival at the hospital, my Ob. never had a chance of getting in and I was already for drugs but never needed them. I had zero pain and it would appear that is relatively common in my family. When planning a pregnancy talk only to your maternal female relatives to get some clue what might happen, and once pregnant, nod pleasantly as every breeding age female gives you the most horrific stories imaginable.

As for Dr. Switchblade, I’ll stick with my geriatric ObGyn, who walked in the next day, told me I had caused quite a stir and by the way that was silent labour. If you have another, book into the hospital a week in advance.

]]> By: Renee http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2007/02/21/public-cans-of-austin-hotel-san-jose/#comment-37937 Renee Thu, 22 Feb 2007 14:20:21 +0000 http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2007/02/21/public-cans-of-austin-hotel-san-jose/#comment-37937 MzNicky: Like Alarming Female, I also chose a natural birth. A home birth, in fact, attended by 2 nurse midwives, my mother and 2 friends. There were no men present whatsoever, as I was a single unwed mother and the father was (blessedly) estranged. I was on Medicaid, so I saved all you taxpayers a whole lotta dough by having an intervention-free birth. You're welcome! I'd agree that natural birthing isn't for everyone, and in an ideal world each and every woman should be able to make an INFORMED choice about her birth experience from beginning to end. Regardless of where you give birth, however, there is one thing the Patriarchy doesn't want women to know: It's a whole lot easier to push a baby out of your vagina if you GET OFF YOUR BACK. The secret to a better birth is squatting - make gravity work for you! Which is kinda tricky if you're numb from the waist down or strapped to a bed, but hey, the Patriarchy must make things easier for doctors. To hell with the laboring woman. Of course, when I tried to share my experience with Dr. Switchblade, he diagnosed me as insane and stupid and he pities my children. Which only confirms the general consensus here: He's a misogynist asshat. MzNicky: Like Alarming Female, I also chose a natural birth. A home birth, in fact, attended by 2 nurse midwives, my mother and 2 friends. There were no men present whatsoever, as I was a single unwed mother and the father was (blessedly) estranged. I was on Medicaid, so I saved all you taxpayers a whole lotta dough by having an intervention-free birth. You’re welcome!

I’d agree that natural birthing isn’t for everyone, and in an ideal world each and every woman should be able to make an INFORMED choice about her birth experience from beginning to end.

Regardless of where you give birth, however, there is one thing the Patriarchy doesn’t want women to know: It’s a whole lot easier to push a baby out of your vagina if you GET OFF YOUR BACK. The secret to a better birth is squatting - make gravity work for you! Which is kinda tricky if you’re numb from the waist down or strapped to a bed, but hey, the Patriarchy must make things easier for doctors. To hell with the laboring woman.

Of course, when I tried to share my experience with Dr. Switchblade, he diagnosed me as insane and stupid and he pities my children. Which only confirms the general consensus here: He’s a misogynist asshat.

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