"The Business of Being Born"

I was reading an article about how the American College of Obgyn has decided to, "...respect the rights of women to choose,"  to have home births with a midwife.  While that statement doesn't appear to be earth shattering, it does indicate a present shift in the official and immovable stance against home births.

The evolution of home births has certainly not been in a straight line.  I've been watching a PBS series titled, "Call the Midwife."  It is based on the experiences of a midwife in 1950's London set in the poorest part of the city.  I am amazed at the attitudes of the medical profession at that time.  The expectant women were seen only by midwives for their monthly appointments.  The births were attended by midwives and the doctor never attended unless a problem arose that the midwives were unable to handle.  Wow, what a difference, today.

Modern Western Obgyn's have been emphatic that women must have their children in a hospital, "just in case."  Midwives have been relegated to the fringe and, on the whole, are disrespected by the medical establishment.  However, there is a movement afoot that has forced the official position to change to that of the opening quote.  Home births are on the rise, especially among Hispanics,  having increased by some 39% over the last decade.  So, has the opinion of the Obgyn's changed because they see home births as "safe" now,  or has women's choice forced that change?  How much of a role have economics played in this official change of heart?

The decades-old argument made by Western doctors is that infant mortality has decreased dramatically because of modern medicine and women having children in a hospital.  While no one would argue the point that the lives of many, many babies and mothers have been saved because of modern techniques, let's look at the world wide infant mortality rate statistics to see how accurate that intractable philosophy has been.

What country would you guess has the lowest infant mortality rate?  The U.S.?  Sweden?  Holland? No.  Maybe, we're not number one, but, surely, we're in the top 5?  No.  The top 10?  No.  Here's another question.  Which of the following countries has a higher infant mortality rate than we?  Brunei, Cuba, Croatia, Cyprus,the Czech Republic, Slovenia or Singapore.  The answer, none of the above.  All these countries have a lower infant death rate than we.  In fact, Singapore has the lowest in the world.  The United States ranks #34!  Why don't we find that astonishing?  Why do we insist that we are the "best" when it comes to health care?  Maybe, we all need to begin to rethink that assertion.  I do think we are among the most innovative countries when it comes to technological medical advances.  However, I would argue that giving birth is not a medical condition and, therefore,  does not warrant further technological advancements.

The movie," The Business of Being Born," explores all these ideas and I would recommend it to any woman who is pregnant or considering starting a family.  Women need to empower themselves and to make their own decision as to how and where to give birth.  Of course, they should discuss their options with their doctor, but, in the end, they should make the decision based on information, not fear.

<ahref=http://fixdhealthcare.com>