Promoting normality in childbirth

doi:10.1136/bmj.323.7322.1142

BMJ 2001;323:1142-1143 ( 17 November )

Editorials

Promoting normality in childbirth

Women and professionals should be encouraged to consider vaginal birth positively

See also Papers p 1155

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Researchers have shown much interest in possible explanations for rising caesarean section rates.¹ Consumer choice is seenas being very influential. An often cited survey of London obstetriciansfound that 31% would choose caesarean section as their preferredmode of delivering babies. ² ³ However, there appear to beparadoxes within this decision making process.⁴ Professionalschoose abdominal delivery, on the basis that it appears to be"easier, less painful and more convenient," even though they considerit to be more expensive and dangerous than a vaginal delivery.⁴A subsequent study, with a wider national base, found a more balancedattitude to normal birth, but this has yet to be commented onin the national press.⁵ National data in this area have beencollected and the results of the national sentinel audit of caesareansection were presented at the Royal College of Obstetricians andGynaecologists on 26 October 2001. Accurate comparative figureson rates, . . . [Full text of this article]

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BMJ 2001 323: 1155-1158. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Rapid Responses:

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Normality in language: Rachel Myr
bmj.com, 17 Nov 2001 [Full text]
Morbid delicacy (?) versus practical measures.: Steven Ford
bmj.com, 22 Nov 2001 [Full text]
Obstetric denervation-Gynaecological reinnervation: Martin Quinn
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Normality is not an objective.: Maureen Treadwell
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