Leanne In my experience, women of short stature (of which I am one!) very commonly have babies in the OA position. I have concluded (my own opinion, without research or evidence) that this is because there is simply no room for a baby to be OP. Us women of short stature, do not labour or birth any differently to other women, and due to position could even exceed the expected 'normal labour curves'.
Felicity (152cm) ----- Original Message ----- From: "leanne wynne" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au> Sent: Monday, July 04, 2005 11:49 AM Subject: [ozmidwifery] FYI > Hi All, > I thought the comment at the end of this article about "caregiver bias" very > relevant. > Leanne. > > Short stature independently predicts cesareans > Issue 13: 27 Jun 2005 > Source: European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology > 2005; 120: 175-8 > > > Maternal short stature is an independent risk factor for cesarean section, > according to new findings. The researchers report a significantly higher > rate of cesareans among women less than 155 cm in height compared with > taller women, even after controlling for labor dystocia. > > > Specialists from the Soroka University Medical Center in Beer-Sheva, Israel, > analyzed the records of all 159,210 deliveries that occurred at the center > between 1988 and 2002. > > In 5,822 of these deliveries (3.65 percent), the mother was of short > stature, defined as being less than 155 cm in height. These women were > almost twice as likely to have a cesarean section compared with taller women > (21.3 percent versus 11.9 percent, respectively). > > Women of short stature also had significantly higher rates of previous > delivery by cesarean, intrauterine growth restriction, premature rupture of > membranes, failed induction, labor dystocia, malpresentations, and > cephalopelvic disproportion. > > However, the researchers found no significant differences in perinatal > complications such as low birth weight, meconium-stained amniotic fluid, > perinatal mortality, and low 5-minute Apgar scores. > > Significant and independent > Importantly, the association between short stature and cesareans persisted > even after controlling for other potentially confounding factors, including > dystocia. Writing in the European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and > Reproductive Biology, the researchers report that short stature is an > independent risk factor for cesarean section, with an odds ratio of 1.7. > > They say the higher rate of deliveries by cesarean among short women "can be > partially attributed to caregiver bias. Whenever the attending obstetrician > realizes that the patient's stature is short, even mild deviations from the > 'normal' labor curves lead to cesarean section." > > They suggest that the findings should prompt obstetricians to "reconsider > their attitudes towards cesarean deliveries in mothers <155 cm", and call > for "an objective evaluation of the benefits and risks" of performing > cesareans in such women. > > The researchers say further prospective studies investigating indications > for cesareans need to be conducted in order to help inform decisions. > > > > Leanne Wynne > Midwife in charge of "Women's Business" > Mildura Aboriginal Health Service Mob 0418 371862 > > > -- > This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. > Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe. > -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.
