For my doula training I have to read The Complete Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth by Sheila Kitzinger.
I got an older copy out of the library (published in 1996) and in it she says that 20% of women will have CPD (cephalopelvic disproportion). Now, I'm no scientist, but my gut says that this is absolute bullshit. Historically, 20% of women didn't die in childbirth because the baby wouldn't come out. In fact, Childinfo.org reports the rate in Afghanistan (we can probably agree that birthing conditions are primitive here) is 1,900 per 100,000 births - a maternal mortality rate of 1.9%. Where is all the CPD in Afghanistan?
I have to assume that this part has been edited in current editions. Anyone know?
Traditional birth is under siege. The rate of caesarean section is climbing steadily. It's time to act. What will you do? Why does it matter? It matters because "birth is more than just about making babies - it's about making mothers, too." - unknown ICANer
What Can You Do?
- Become a doula
- Join ICAN (International Cesarean Awareness Network)
- Search PubMed for the latest published research
- Surf the websites in the "Links" section
- Write a letter to: the editor of your local paper, your midwife, your OB, a pregnant friend or family member
Recommended Reading
- Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth by Henci Goer
4 comments:
In the 2004 version it says (page 348):"The most common reason for Cesarean section is the failure of labor to progress, due to malposition or cephalopelvic disproportion, when the baby's head appears to be too large to pass through the pelvis. But in retrospect, it is usually not too large. (...) But the size of the baby in relation to the maternal pelvis and the way the baby is lying are factors to take into account."
Ups, mine is "The Complete Book of Pregnancy and Childbirth", not "The Complete Guide to..."...
Yeah, I checked the latest edition and that whole discussion appears to have disappeared... Too bad the old copy is still on the library shelves. Maybe I'll send them an email so they can decide whether to pull it or not. I hate to think of someone getting crappy info like that.
I'm wondering if it's a poor wording saying that 20% of all births are for so-called CPD, when it may not actually be the true diagnosis.
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