Childbirth becoming too clinical By LAURA ANDERSON 18oct04 "The Advertiser" THE "medicalisation" of birth has diminished women's satisfaction with their experience of childbirth, a study has found.
Australian women are less likely to die during pregnancy or childbirth, but the result has been decreased satisfaction with the childbirth process, a study published today in the Medical Journal of Australia shows. Co-author Professor Caroline de Costa, from James Cook University in Queensland, said main sources of dissatisfaction were perceptions of a lack of involvement in decision-making, "obstetric interventions" and "unhelpful caregivers". "With one in four children being born by caesarean section, many women . . . are understandably seeking a more `natural' environment for uncomplicated births," she said. "Although maternal satisfaction is important, it should not be promoted at the expense of the health of mothers and babies. "Sometimes intervention is necessary for the safe arrival of a healthy infant." She said while home births and water births "strongly promote maternal satisfaction", the safety of the baby was difficult to evaluate because of a lack of data. Australian Medical Association state president Dr William Heddle agreed and said when it came to childbirth, "the welfare of the mother and the infant is of critical importance". "Whether that detracts from the emotional experience of the mother at the time of the birth, probably has to take second place," he said. The Women's and Children's Hospital will deliver about 500 babies this year through its midwifery group practice. The practice allows mothers at low medical risk to have the same midwife throughout their pregnancy, who delivers their baby. Alicia Crettenden delivered her son Thomas in the bath at the WCH birthing centre on October 4. "I had both midwives throughout the whole thing and it was really good," she said. This message was sent through MyMail http://www.mymail.com.au -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.
