tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9022711156100944101.post7448047232257620416..comments2023-09-27T08:23:53.343+01:00Comments on Ireland: No Country for Pregnant Women: AIMSI points to consider - discussion of High Court Case - Aja Teehan vs HSEAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05874066401296452492noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9022711156100944101.post-34100070551922616992013-08-02T10:45:32.660+01:002013-08-02T10:45:32.660+01:00This is such an important article. Aja Teehan is s...This is such an important article. Aja Teehan is so courageous for taking this case. It is every woman's human right to decide where and how to give birth. She is in my thoughts every day and I hope that this is not proving too stressful for her and her baby. <br /><br />There are worrying trends happening in Ireland (such as invoking section 40.3.3 of the constitution) to force women into undergoing procedures that the courts (but really the obstetricians who have testified as to the necessity of such coercive action) deem necessary. Language such as "if she persists in the refusal" is so telling and is extremely paternalistic. The refusal of what? A forced surgical procedure? Is there anyone alive who would welcome or enjoy forced surgery? What exactly does this boil down to? Women being physically dragged into hospitals by Gardai and being strapped down in order to undergo these forced procedures? <br /><br />In March of this year when the HSE took a woman to the high court in order to force her to have a cesarean, had she not decided herself to have one, what would have happened if the judge had ruled in favour of the HSE? Are we living in a country that would allow this to happen? How on earth does that comply with best and evidence based practice? How on earth is that good for the woman or the baby? It's horrifying even to contemplate something like that happening and people not doing anything about it. Ireland needs to make big changes, we need changes in how people think which will be reflected in how we treat women, children and men and what we allow as a society and community to happen.<br /><br />What it boils down to is liability and having to pay out in case anything happens. It's interesting that this MOU was signed when Ireland got into a recession, we have all the money in the world to give to banks but we begrudge women giving birth at home, even though it's cheaper than going to hospital. Something just doesn't quite add up here. Noreen Barronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04398860243786913489noreply@blogger.com