Midwives make a difference

Midwives make a difference

I would like to make a comment on the letter from Ms. Saifudin
regarding hospital rules which was published in The Jakarta Post
on Sept. 5, 1994.

My child was born on March 23, 1994 at the Pondok Indah
Hospital (PIH). I had a very pleasant experience there and am
grateful for the treatment and services I received. My husband
was with me all the time, which was important during those
crucial moments in the delivery room.

The doctor I had chosen was also there for the delivery
together with a good group of staff from PIH. I had a fine team
helping me. But what really made the difference between a stark,
cold experience in a foreign hospital, and a warm, friendly
experience giving birth, was the addition of another player on
the team. This player was a multilingual expatriate midwife, who
during the endless hours of labor was able to be by my side and
assist me in a language I understood.

As a female in a foreign country, far away from close friends
and relatives and not being able to fluently speak the Indonesian
language, this midwife was an angel from heaven. Her knowledge
and kindness, sense of humor and infinite patience made me feel
reassured during those early morning hours.

I was exceedingly surprised to hear that PIH has changed its
policy and now does not allow expatriate midwifes and husbands in
the delivery room at the same time. What a pity! When giving
birth one needs to be able to communicate immediately with the
office staff without worrying about language barriers. We also
need to have some other type of feedback besides "relax, breathe
and, push."

Really, we're the ones having the babies. Would it not be fair
to let the patient decide if she wants a midwife and husband in
the delivery room at the same time?

DESIREE C. FENICHELL

Jakarta