Oh, and about "not being equipped"--how much equipment does it take? A birthing ball? A bit of space to walk in? Just allowing you to squat (I did squat for awhile on the bed using the back which was raised up as a support)? Ideally they would have a bathtub nearby so you could get into some hot water?Or, how about this, just let the doula accompany the woman in labor as well as the father of the child? Or allow collapsable birthing tubs to be made available for rent or extra charge? Naw, but here in HK it's just an assmbly line--get 'em in and get 'em out. Natural birth? Whatever! Oh, you want to have this important moment in your family's life as peaceful and honored as possible? Don't look here! Not a lack of equipment--just the wrong mindset.
Orgasmic Birth
- Thread starter thanka2
- Start date
solidstars
Registered User
well, no, i wasn't allowed to walk around, not that i wanted to towards the end, but at the beginning i did ask and the nurses looked scandalous.
i wished i could have tried squatting, but then, if in you case you had back pains, then i wouldn't have been able to, i had massive back pains too.
i think my doctor would have asked me to go elsewhere to give birth if i had pushed the idea of squatting... I asked about water births too and he said they're not equipped for it...
i wished i could have tried squatting, but then, if in you case you had back pains, then i wouldn't have been able to, i had massive back pains too.
i think my doctor would have asked me to go elsewhere to give birth if i had pushed the idea of squatting... I asked about water births too and he said they're not equipped for it...
I had a drug free, vaginal birth and I had pretty good support (starting from husband who was a great labor coach, my helper who used to be a midwife in Phil, midwives from Annerley, yoga classes, my pregnancy group which is now my baby group, my Ob- Lucy Lord, midwives from Matilda were just amazing) from all, throughout the pregnancy and final labor in HK. All everyone counseled me was to keep my options open and not feel bad if I am not able to get through the labor without drugs or need a C. No one pushed me one way or the other. And luckily for me, all went smoothly.
I have another friend who also had a natural (drug free/ vaginal) birth with a different Ob (Chinese)- I forget his name. He was ok with her being more than 2 weeks overdue. She did schedule an induction but went into labor naturally on the eve of a typhoon of all days.
1. Not allowed to do homebirth with a certified nurse midwife- Yes, agree.
2. No birthing centers in Hong Kong- True
3. An extremely high c-section rate in Hong Kong.
True- but you have to find the right OB for yourself. For eg, NYC has as high Csec rates inspite of home birth doulas and birthing centers.
4. Birthing coaches/doulas not allowed in the birthing room (right?)
Perhaps true for public hospitals but you are allowed birth coaches/ doulas in Matilda for sure. I found out upfront. Basically any 2 people other than yourself (besides the Matilda midwife and your ob) can be present.
5. No access to hot water/tubs during labor (right?) I dialated from almost 8 cm (I was able to stay at home for a pretty long time) to full in the hot water tub in less than half hour. I absolutely loved it. The tub was clean, the bathroom was lovely.
I was also allowed to squat with a mirror but I could only do a semi squat due to the pain and pushing was easier for me when switching on knees. In the last bit, I was getting quite tired with the squat and needed to concentrate more on the pushing so I did get up on to the bed but more in a sitting position than on my back.
I have another friend who also had a natural (drug free/ vaginal) birth with a different Ob (Chinese)- I forget his name. He was ok with her being more than 2 weeks overdue. She did schedule an induction but went into labor naturally on the eve of a typhoon of all days.
1. Not allowed to do homebirth with a certified nurse midwife- Yes, agree.
2. No birthing centers in Hong Kong- True
3. An extremely high c-section rate in Hong Kong.
True- but you have to find the right OB for yourself. For eg, NYC has as high Csec rates inspite of home birth doulas and birthing centers.
4. Birthing coaches/doulas not allowed in the birthing room (right?)
Perhaps true for public hospitals but you are allowed birth coaches/ doulas in Matilda for sure. I found out upfront. Basically any 2 people other than yourself (besides the Matilda midwife and your ob) can be present.
5. No access to hot water/tubs during labor (right?) I dialated from almost 8 cm (I was able to stay at home for a pretty long time) to full in the hot water tub in less than half hour. I absolutely loved it. The tub was clean, the bathroom was lovely.
I was also allowed to squat with a mirror but I could only do a semi squat due to the pain and pushing was easier for me when switching on knees. In the last bit, I was getting quite tired with the squat and needed to concentrate more on the pushing so I did get up on to the bed but more in a sitting position than on my back.
"I'm surprised to see so many people think the natural birth option in HK are satisfactory."
I think few people in HK as a whole opt for natural birth because they want to, to begin with- so the onus lies as much with them, in my opinion, about the range of availability of natural birth choices. With lucky dates, lucky year in mind, from conception to birth is planned, right?
So my guess is that its the few expats who have taken this poll, a number of them are more informed/ aware about choices they can exercise and demand health care in a certain way.
I think few people in HK as a whole opt for natural birth because they want to, to begin with- so the onus lies as much with them, in my opinion, about the range of availability of natural birth choices. With lucky dates, lucky year in mind, from conception to birth is planned, right?
So my guess is that its the few expats who have taken this poll, a number of them are more informed/ aware about choices they can exercise and demand health care in a certain way.
Having had my first child in London (a natural home birth delivered by a mid-wife). I find it unsatisfactory that all births in HK require hospital admission and delivery by an obstetrician - irrespective of whether that ob lets you squat, kneel or otherwise. I am comparing the birth options in HK to many other countries where home-births, birthing centres and water births are the norm. I don't think it has anything to do with being informed/aware of the choices. It is a fact that the options here are limited.
My second son was born here in HK. I had Dr Dawkins - a great obs and natural birth advocate who let me deliver anyway I wanted. I also used a doula from Annerly as support and the midwives from Matilda were wonderful. Do I think my personal experience was satisfactory? Yes.
Does this make the natural birth options in HK satisfactory? Far from it.
My second son was born here in HK. I had Dr Dawkins - a great obs and natural birth advocate who let me deliver anyway I wanted. I also used a doula from Annerly as support and the midwives from Matilda were wonderful. Do I think my personal experience was satisfactory? Yes.
Does this make the natural birth options in HK satisfactory? Far from it.
aussie mum, I quite like the way you explained the situation using your own experience for reference. Well said.
prone_to_wander
Registered User
I've booked Hulda at Annerly midwives but need to go public. I'm very disappointed that I can't give birth at home but I'm arming myself with hypnobirthing, education and the will to stand up for what I want. I am willing to be labeled an obstinate and difficult patient if it means I can feel more comfortable with the birth.
One thing I think OBs forget is that yes, we want a healthy baby, but we don't want to be traumatized and guilted into unnecessary interventions so he/she can make it home for dinner. So no, I will not sign the episiotomy form. Nor will I lie down on my back so you are more comfortable. Thank you.
One thing I think OBs forget is that yes, we want a healthy baby, but we don't want to be traumatized and guilted into unnecessary interventions so he/she can make it home for dinner. So no, I will not sign the episiotomy form. Nor will I lie down on my back so you are more comfortable. Thank you.
Good on you! The really bad part is that a huge part of being able to actually go through with a drug-free birth without complications is the ability to be able to relax. It is so counterproductive to the whole labor process to have to get your blood pressure up demanding that your birth plan be followed. A woman in labor shouldn't have to spend so much energy asserting her rights over her own body and birthing experience--she should be able to focus on the matter at hand--giving birth and fully devote her attention to that. I am convinced that when a woman is giving birth attending to her needs (as dictated by her, not some know-it-all doctor who is likely male anyway) should be the only focus of the individuals allowed to participate in that process.
So, definitely happy for you that you know what you want and will stick to your guns. I hope that you also have someone with you (husband etc.) who will also make sure your wishes are followed as closely as possible. And I'm sure you've also made room for the possible true emergencies that might arise. You'll have an great birth!
prone_to_wander
Registered User
Thanka, I'm so so happy to know that there are people like you in Hong Kong. I feel a little less lonely.
My husband will be with me. He is a pretty quiet guy, except when he feels like he needs to stand up for me. He knows how important it is for me to feel empowered in this birth.
And I know that things happen. Sometimes emergencies are emergencies. But allowing woman to feel empowered and in control of their bodies is the ONLY way to do it IMO. So I'm flexible, but you'd better give me a good reason why something needs to be done, before I agree to it.
Prone to wonder, I'll be very curious to hear about your experience in the public hospitals. We had a great, drug-free birth at home with our son, and are considering if we want to have a second child here or wait until we are at home again. We also would need to go public, but we've considered getting a doula from Annerley as well. I keep hearing very mixed reports about if doulas are allowed in public hospitals and what kind of support for a natural birth there is. So, I'll look forward to hearing your birth story!