silver@csu-cs.UUCP (05/26/83)
Some [reactions] to Michael Turner's recent posting... Apparently, natural childbirth is getting to be quite a science! [Yes, I was surprised by the quantity and quality of preparation, though there was even more the classes left out that we got by reading.] The recent, detailed submission in net.med was well worth reading. [Assuming you're referring to my article, thank you.] It's good to hear that, at least in some places, hospitals are loosening up a little. [It's been interesting for us to compare notes with people who had kids even ten years ago! What a change in the times!] ...The effect of this baby has been quite startling, in some ways. Terry is a good bit more assertive. Dave has no qualms about offering to change diapers. Not a reversal of roles at all, but a conspicuous blending of them. [We've noticed a lot of that in us also. I guess sometimes you luck out and, at least for a while, the birth helps you get along even better as a team.] I speculate that Dave's presence in the delivery room had much to do with these changes. Perhaps the experience really brings home to men how much of the work a woman has already done for a baby by the time it's born. [Funny, I've heard that before, but that's one thing I haven't felt too strongly. I guess that, right or wrong, I feel like I'm working pretty hard too, especially now -- doing job, housekeeping, and diapers.] It makes them realize that they have a somewhat artificial role in raising children -- and yet, should work that much harder at being fathers (not just "breadwinners") to take their deserved place as parents. ["Artificial"? Well, I do feel left out because I can't feed the baby yet (she really hates the bottle), but...] [Looking back, I see that we had a pretty ideal birthing experience, partly due to luck and partly due to preparation. "When it comes to advice, I'm full of it", so I'd be glad to discuss the subject further. How about net.birth? or net.LIVE.babies? I'M KIDDING!] Alan Silverstein, Hewlett-Packard Fort Collins Systems Division, Colorado ucbvax!hplabs!hpfcld!ajs, 303-226-3800 x3053, N 40 31'31" W 105 00'43"