As Ray Charles sang: "Tell The Truth."

Well surprise, surprise! Once again the institutional message is being sent to women: "You gals are just not smart enough to make informed decisions." Therefore, we will decide for you. That is exactly what the medical society is saying to child bearing women.

Recently, a growing number of American hospitals have done away with the newborn nursery units. Oh, they state noble reasoning. Hospitals sight studies indicating a quicker and stronger bonding between mother and newborn if the child is placed alongside mom's hospital room bed. Also, hospital administrators will tell you that the mother is more likely to breast feed if the crying new baby is next to her side immediately after birth. Of course, that has been a constant subliminal message to new moms... you are 'less' of a mother if you don't breast feed. Hogwash! This is nothing less than 'smoke and mirrors.' When are we truly going to give women full authority over their bodies and mothering. The next thing you know these so-called family experts will be telling parents never spank a child but instead be concerned about the child's 'feelings.' Oops, that horse already left the barn.

I personally don't remember home birthing as the norm but I heard many stories from grandparents about the woman giving birth at home with assistance from a mid-wife. I have also read many statistics about infant mortality rates coupled with mothers' deaths related to home birthing. It was due to these health and death concerns that expecting moms began heading to the hospital where professional intervention would be available should the need arise. After birthing, a mother should have some thinking time to sort through options, digest some advice and make informed and personal choice decisions while the nursery staff rotates baby care responsibilities for a day in two.

 By the year 2017, it is estimated that more than 500 hospitals will no longer offer nursery assistants.

I Suspect this idea for doing-away with hospital nurseries can be traced to some pencil-pushing bookkeeper. Make no mistake, this is all about cutting nurse staffing and salaries.