----- Original Message -----
Sent: Monday, May 31, 2004 7:40 PM
Subject: [ozmidwifery] 60 minutes
Dear All
Here is what I have sent to 60
minutes:
Debbie
"Sirs
I would like to comment on your recent story
about the choice of caesarean section vs a natural birth.
At a rate of
nearly 30%, the rate of caesarean sections in this country (as in many others)
is way above the WHO recommended rate of 10 to 15%.
The alarming rate of
caesarean sections is being addressed in many countries, as it is being
realised that it is a public health issue which affects both the health of its
population and is a cost to the public purse.
As an example, the
National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) in the UK - the body that
provides guidance in clinical matters to their National Health Service
recently produced guidelines with the aim of reducing unnecessary caesarean
sections.
It states (amongst other things), that maternal request "Is
not on its own an indication for CS". It sets out only six conditions
where a CS should be offered to women - in the main where the mother suffers
from such conditions as HIV. The only obstetric conditions are where a
baby is breech and cannot be 'turned'.
Interestingly their Reference
Guide summarises the effects of CS and natural birth. The list of
possible increased effects are 15 in number - including hysterectomies,
uterine rupture, not having any more children, maternal death, future
stillbirths and breathing probelms for the baby. The list of effects
reduced by a section comprise only 3 - less pain around the perineum,
incontinence, and prolapse.
I can empathise Vanessa Gorman's reasons
for having a section - but her case is hardly 'normal'. You may be
interested to know that I too have had a baby die, and I too was offered a
section if I felt that I wanted it (because of my previous
experience). However, in may case, I felt that it would be better to go
for a natural birth. That was my choice, and so was hers.
It is
important that women are provided with the correct information to enable them
to make informed choices, and it concerns me that this piece did not provide a
truly unbiased view.
Yours sinecerly
Debbie Slater
12
Goldfinch Avenue
Churchlands
WA 6018
Ph: 08 9287 1783
"
