Penny
I think this is a very well put and worded question - thank-you!
-----Original Message-----
From: A forum for discussion on midwifery and reproductive health
research. on behalf of Penny Haora
Sent: Thu 07-Aug-08 8:51 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Cc:
Subject: Re: "Caesarean Deliveries: Why Are They Key for Maternal
Health in Developing Countries?" PRB Discuss Online, Aug. 7, 2008
further to my earlier mail, this is the question i submitted... would be
interested in your comments... pj
To say that 'Caesarean Deliveries Are 'Key' for Maternal Health in
Developing Countries', I think is simplistic and reductionist, and
subsequently idealises Caesarean section as the 'silver bullet'
solution. Historically, maternal deaths have reduced considerably,
before Caesarean rates reached ‘recommended’ levels, indicating the
impact of many other factors including, notably, fertility decline.
Additionally, maternal HEALTH, as a concept, embraces far more than
simply 'survival'. In my view, to ask a question such as "What can we
do to ensure that all women and babies have access to Caesareans for
life-saving purposes..." further implies that ALL women and babies are
in extreme danger during birthing... and such a belief promotes a
pathological view of birthing, and exacerbates the idealisation which
contributes to unnecessary Caesareans. The ‘key’ question in my mind,
in all settings, is ‘how can we ensure “healthy birthing”?’,
encompassing healthy girls, healthy women, healthy families, healthy
communities, and ‘healthy health systems’! Wouldn’t this type of
approach address many, if not all of the issues, and enable us to do so
in a much more holistic and contextualised way?
______________________________________________
Penny Haora RM MPH
PhD Candidate (Thai Health Risks Transition Study)
Maternal, Neonatal & Child Health
'Population Health in the Asia-Pacific Region' Research Theme
National Centre for Epidemiology & Population Health (NCEPH)
ANU College of Medicine and Health Sciences
Bdg 62, Mills Road
The Australian National University
Canberra, ACT, 0200
Phone: (02) 6125 5618 [intnl +61 2 6125 5618]
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Email: [log in to unmask]
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http://www.stou.ac.th/ANU/
CRICOS Provider 00120C
_____
From: A forum for discussion on midwifery and reproductive health
research. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Penny
Haora
Sent: Thursday, August 07, 2008 4:23 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: "Caesarean Deliveries: Why Are They Key for Maternal Health in
Developing Countries?" PRB Discuss Online, Aug. 7, 2008
any further questions to add?
best wishes,
Penny
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