Totally scared and pissed off

My friend was once again forced to go to court today to defend herself and continue fighting for her right to make medical decisions for her daughter. It did not go so well this time; custody was taken away, although she can visit her in the hospital and can even still breastfeed her (this has been a real point of contention). AND, unbelievably, I and one other friend have been approved for visitation as well, with or without the mother's presence. I am shocked that a nonrelative (let alone two) has been allowed this privilege, but plan on being there as much as I can without neglecting my own two.

It's really unfortunate...no, make that sad and downright scary...that being a strong advocate for your child's health can put you at risk for accusations like Munchausen's by proxy. I read an article today that made it clearer for me, though. This paragraph in particular stood out:

"In this way, the social and economic circumstances of medicine helped bring needy patients into contact with frustrated doctors; one product of this interaction was the portrait of the despised Munchausen patient. Similarly, it is no accident that the rise of the Munchausen by proxy diagnosis has run parallel with the rise of aggressive behavior in medical patients. During the past decade, people have routinely shown up at doctors’ offices armed with Internet printouts, or displayed a suspicion of “mainstream medicine” fed by alternative practitioners and by dissatisfaction with managed care. These patients, caught up in their conceptions of themselves as “empowered advocates,” can come into conflict with doctors and caseworkers. "

It's so obvious to me now: it's about power, about the power doctors have been given over the years, and now their unwillingness to share it, in the face of the power of the internet.

When it's all said and done, that's why I chose to give birth at home. Birth is powerful, and it made me feel powerful. And as a woman, I am not willing to share that power with a doctor who might try to take it all for him- or herself.