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Taken from 'Birth Rites, Birth
Rights. Childbirth Alternatives for Australian Parents.'
Judith Lumley and Jill Astbury. 1980
BIRTH
SISTER: We will give you . .
.
STUDENT 1: A nice foetal monitor ;
NURSE 1: A drip, in case you get
dehydrated
NURSE 2: NO food, in case you
need a Caesar
STUDENT 3: An injection of
Pethidine, so you do not
upset
us with your suffering.
MARY: Say jump . . . I will
jump . . .
Say quiet .
. . I will be silent . . .
Say lie . . . I will lie .
. .
Say die. . . I will die. .
.
Your will . . . not
mine
STUDENTS: In pain and in sorrow
shall you bring
forth
children!
NURSE 3: We will see you do not
infect the baby
NURSE 1: We will shave
you
SISTER: Sterilise you
NURSE 2: Dress you in our nice
clean garments
STUDENT 5: Vestments
SISTER: For the
sacrifice
STUDENTS: YOU gave the apple to
Adam!
NURSE 3: We will give you . .
.
STUDENTS: A caudal block, so you
can feel nothing
MARY: One more injection, or
two, or three
What
does it matter?
NURSE 1: YOU can see the baby
come
STUDENTS: But you won't feel a
thing!
You won't
feel a thing!
MARY: YOU, Harry, when at last
you come. . .
You
are their creature,
Shapeless in gown and
mask,
Your eyes, sharp with
anxiety
At finding me the helpless
baby :
. . . NO longer your
mother . . .
What help can you be to me
now
When I am their
victim?
ALL: Modern medicine is
wonderful!
STUDENT: Low infant mortality
rate
STUDENT 3: All the latest
equipment
STUDENT 4: Caesarean Section
wherever there may be a risk Pitocin drip to
speed
up the labour
OBSTETRICIAN (entering)
Or
get it started when I want my weekend free! (exit)
STUDENT 3: Forceps delivery
STUDENT 5: Episiotomy, of course
SISTER: When you tear, it's so
much worse!
STUDENT 1: Pitocin for the
afterbirth
NURSE 1: YOU could put the baby
to the breast
NURSE 2: Perhaps. . .
STUDENT 1: But it s
unscientific!
CHORUS: See how we labour for
you:
You
need do nothing. . .
Lie, lie quietly . .
.
We will strap you
down
With a drip and a foetal
monitor
So you must lie on your
altar.
We will take over your
body . . .
We will deliver your baby
. . .
- Alicia Tierney, A Banquet of
Vipers, Act 2
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