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