Caesarean: Just Another Way of Birth?

by Mander; Rosemary

• ISBN13: 9780415401364
• ISBN10: 0415401364
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 2007-07-16
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

This book critically analyzes the place of caesarean in childbearing at the beginning of the twenty first century. It questions the changes that are taking place in childbirth and, in particular, the effects and implications of an increase in caesarean births. This controversial work by a practising midwife and researcher, includes discussion of: the context of the operation and description of it health systems around the world and their caesarean incidence rates decision-making and cultural/medical constraints the short and long term implications of caesarean for baby and mother. Using up-to-date research, Rosemary Mander bases her argument on a firm evidence-base and argues that the rapidly rising caesarean section rate may not be for the benefit of either the woman giving birth or her baby. Rather, the beneficiaries may actually be those professionals whose investment is in extending the range of their influence and thus increasing themedicalization of normal life.

Author Biography

Rosemary Mander is Professor of Midwifery at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements	p. ix
Introduction	p. 1
'The game of the name'	p. 4
Beginnings	p. 4
Terminology	p. 4
History	p. 6
Changes in caesarean rates	p. 11
The significance of caesarean	p. 13
Conclusion	p. 17
What are the questions and who's using the answers? Research into caesarean	p. 18
A 'health warning'	p. 18
Randomised Controlled Trials and Evidence-Based Practice	p. 19
Research ethics and caesarean	p. 21
The origins of caesarean research	p. 23
Research topics	p. 26
Areas yet to be researched	p. 35
Conclusion	p. 36
The caesarean operation - issues and debates	p. 38
Time factors	p. 38
Indications for performing a caesarean	p. 42
Surgery-related issues	p. 46
Conclusion	p. 56
International matters	p. 57
International background	p. 57
Comparisons between countries	p. 63
Discussion - a UK perspective of the international issues	p. 75
Conclusion	p. 80
Caesarean decision making - who's choosing the choices?	p. 81
Dynamics of decision making	p. 81
Clinical, interpersonal and individual decision making	p. 82
Maternal choice/request/demand for caesarean	p. 99
Other factors influencing the caesarean decision	p. 104
Non-consensual caesarean	p. 109
Higher order decisions	p. 111
Conclusion	p. 113
The immediate implications of caesarean	p. 114
The implications for the woman	p. 114
The implications for the baby	p. 126
Mother and baby	p. 129
Maternal mortality	p. 130
Iatrogenesis	p. 131
Conclusion	p. 134
The long-term implications of caesarean	p. 135
Implications for the woman	p. 136
Implications for the baby	p. 147
Implications for others	p. 149
Consumer groups	p. 153
Conclusion	p. 154
The significance of trial of labour and VBAC (vaginal birth after caesarean)	p. 156
Words and the woman	p. 156
Research matters	p. 159
Health issues	p. 164
The significance of safety	p. 167
Conclusion	p. 171
Conclusion	p. 173
The status of caesarean	p. 173
Long-term developmental views of caesarean	p. 174
Medicalisation and women	p. 176
Risk	p. 179
References	p. 180
Index	p. 205
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