Apparently ‘big baby’ is no longer a suitable way to describe, well, a big baby. New guidance about how midwives should speak to women in labour suggests losing terms like labour ward, delivered and big baby in favour of less ‘upsetting terms’ (like ‘birthing suite’, ‘gave birth’ and ‘healthy baby’).
The idea behind it is to ’empower’ women and to try and avoid causing them any upset.
I have no problem giving birth in the labour ward. I think it’s entirely ridiculous that this should only be referred to as a ‘birthing suite’ as if this was some sort of five star hotel where no one would expect you to poo on the bed and bleed on the floor.
As someone who has given birth more than once, I wasn’t aware there was a lack of respect show for pregnant women. In fact, since both my children were 10lb8+ I’d be utterly offended if no one said I had a ‘big baby’. The last thing you want after pushing out a bigger-than-normal baby is for someone to come and take away your victory by telling you, “no dear, he’s just healthy‘.
The authors of the article also admit that they expect eye-rolls and mutterings of ‘political correctness gone mad’ but stand by their recommendations.
I’m 50/50 about the whole thing. While I can see that the term ‘good girl’ can be patronising (although if it’s uttered by a 50+ woman, that’s somehow okay, isn’t it?) but most of the changes seem completely unecessary.
It’s probably more insulting than the authors intended it to be too. Telling midwives to change the language they use in front of patients to avoid upsetting them rather suggests that women are delicate little flowers. Delicate little flowers who are easily upset by things like acknowledging they are giving birth in a place that sounds distinctly medical.
What do you think? Am I wrong to think it’s all a bit silly?
I love this, I normally call a bigger baby “OH MY GOODNESS ADORABLE” when I am working on the ward. Something about those chubby cheeks makes me smile ear to ear! I think its good to give guidelines, but realistically it all depends on where you are, and who you are with. You need to adapt the service to suit the individual, and “healthy baby” isn’t going to give a mum a realistic outcome about how large baby might be, its all about being clear and straightforward.
Erin || MakeErinOver
The place i gave birth actually was a Birthing suite haha, but that’s because it was a midwife led facility. Upstairs was the labour ward and had i needed to go up there i would have had zero issue with it being referred to as such. I do think some of the terminology can be overly medical, but also, its accurate so that’s the most important part. Can you imagine if the doctor wanted the ventouse and asked for the plunger thing? Haha.