Dear Sheena and Maralyn

Thank you very much for taking time to answer.  I must say it confirms my anxiety about showing films.  I am sure that one to one care with the community midwife or small group would be the best way forward and she has an experienced birth doula.
Kind regards

Sue

On 18 Feb 2011, at 18:30, sheena byrom wrote:

> That's interesting Maralyn; I was going to mention I used to refer women who were afraid of their forthcoming birth to our caseload midwifery team (one to one group practice), but I realise that not all women have access to that kind of care. The key then was as you say getting to know one midwife, who would be there at the birth.
> 
> Sue is there  a midwife or a couple of midwives who would be willing to support the woman you mention in this way? I mean through pregnancy and birth?
> 
> BW Sheena
> 
> 
> On 1 Apr 2011, at 18:17, Maralyn Foureur wrote:
> 
>> Dear Sue
>> 
>> I agree wholeheartedly with Sheena - showing films of either a vaginal birth or caesarean may potentially cause more harm than good as the viewer can only interpret what they see from within their own past and future imagined experiences- over which you have no control. The support of a doula throughout pregnancy and the birth sounds like an excellent strategy. In addition, if the woman could also get to know the midwife who will be providing her care- throughout pregnancy and the labour and birth and postnatally, she may also find this anxiety reducing. Talking with other mothers who have had positive birth experiences - in an ongoing way rather than a one-off meeting - may also be a useful strategy for her. Women in the Albany practice found the use of still photographs to be hugely beneficial in dispelling fears and normalising childbirth - but these were presented as an integral part of an ongoing relationship with the midwives who were providing their care and who they had come to know personally - so showing the photographs was part of an ongoing and supportive relationship and conversation with midwives and other mothers - they were not an isolated event.
>> 
>> Best wishes
>> Maralyn
>> 
>> Maralyn Foureur
>> Professor of Midwifery
>> Northern Sydney Central Coast Health and University of Technology Sydney
>> Centre for Midwifery, Child and Family Health
>> PO Box 123
>> Broadway NSW 2007 Australia
>> Tel: 0448 448 735
>> 
>> ________________________________________
>> From: A forum for discussion on midwifery and reproductive health research. [[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of sheena byrom [[log in to unmask]]
>> Sent: Saturday, 2 April 2011 3:58 AM
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: Re: Birth DVD
>> 
>> Hi Sue
>> 
>> I am not sure what if any evidence there is around the use of film for birth preparation,  but in my experience I have found them more harmful than good. The viewer is an onlooker, and events in a film frequently are out of context. I would worry that showing this woman a film of a vaginal birth or a C/S may instil more anxiety. It so hard. I think the one to one support you mention is the best strategy.....But that's just my view!
>> 
>> Good luck,
>> 
>> 
>> Sheena
>> 
>> On 1 Apr 2011, at 15:39, Susan Fenwick <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>> 
>>> Dear List Colleagues,
>>> 
>>> Would someone be able to advise. Primigravida with severe tokophobia (SVD and elective/emergency CS), on going mental health issues, receiving counselling and cognitive behavioural therapy. Is their a suitable DVD/film showing SVD and ELLSCS which could be used in one to one birth preparation sessions for this woman.   Efforts are being made by the multidisciplinary team including a birth doula to make her pregnancy and birth a positive experience.  I am interested in the current discourse relating to the use of films/DVD in preparation for childbirth classes.
>>> 
>>> Thank you
>>> 
>>> Sue Fenwick MPhil
>>> Midwife
>> 
>> UTS CRICOS Provider Code: 00099F
>> DISCLAIMER: This email message and any accompanying attachments may contain confidential information.
>> If you are not the intended recipient, do not read, use, disseminate, distribute or copy this message or
>> attachments. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete
>> this message. Any views expressed in this message are those of the individual sender, except where the
>> sender expressly, and with authority, states them to be the views of the University of Technology Sydney.
>> Before opening any attachments, please check them for viruses and defects.
>> 
>> Think. Green. Do.
>> 
>> Please consider the environment before printing this email.