An addict in the womb?
Wow, it’s been two months since my last post, but I have not disappeared, just the usual excuses – uni, work and life but mostly because I’ve been lazy.
original image from jasonnardi.com
I had wanted to write this post ever since I was called into work early about 6 weeks ago.
I work in a hospital kitchen and I use an entrance which is just along from the maternity block and the all new midwifery unit. This entrance is right by a smoking shelter. I think you can see where I am going with this.
I witnessed one heavily pregnant woman in her hospital gown, who would probably deliver that same day, outside puffing away.
The hospital “prides” itself on being a non-smoking site – no smoking on premises or even the grounds. They even had big signs put up proclaiming this and the moment you proceed towards the main entrance you are assaulted with a monotone, poorly spoken audio broadcast reminding you smoking is not permitted. Yet we have smoking shelters purportedly for outpatients – those who are only visiting the hospital for the day. Hmm. Although I think that having realised the irony, the signs are gone now.
Anyway I walk past this woman, openly staring at the cigarette in her mouth and was given a pretty snide evil stare back, but that was to be expected. At work I got talking about this to one of my full time workmates who showed no surprise and informed me that this was a regular occurrence. “And the hospital does nothing about this?” was my response. A shrug was all the reply I got. At home I asked my mum about this (she’s a nurse in the baby unit). She also shrugged – “there’s nothing we can do to stop them, we can give advice but they don’t have to take it, we even have soon to be mums going out for a fix of a different kind, theres nothing we can do. This city’s a bit like that.”
I don’t try to hide who I am or where I live on this blog so you know where I am, but I had thought the city was getting it’s act together, but maybe not quite yet. One of the things I did find was an article in the staff magazine (March 2010):
The article highlights initiatives launched to help pregnant women quit smoking consisting of promoting the scheme, giving advice and a support group.
I for one do not think its enough, surely there is more that can be done, maybe even a legal injunction. Sure that may be against said pregnant woman’s human rights but how about the rights of her child? Your thoughts please.
On the other hand Spring is here and here is an appropriate picture:
I always mean to take a picture of that sign in Spring because of the daffodils and the Marie Curie Cancer Care Logo which also features them, and the name – Field of Hope is at least inspiring. Sorry about the quality, was taken on my phone.
