Study Weighs Pros, Cons of Home or Hospital Birth

"Because this study was presented at a medical meeting, the data and conclusions should be viewed as preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal." (this is good news)

Midwifery data being discussed at a perinatal conference is interesting. Headlines "More seizures lower apgar scores found in home."

However the following is stated later in the article:

"The overall number of kids who had seizures was low -- less than 1 percent at any location."

Then the following is stated:

"The study did find that babies born at home or a birthing center were much less likely to be delivered via Cesarean section; however, researchers said their data are likely not reliable. The reason is that if a mother intended to give birth at home or in a birthing center but ended up being taken to the hospital for a C-section because of complications, the birth certificate would have recorded an in-hospital birth."

One could argue that the following:

During the following years the first National Perinatal Medicine Societies were founded

by obstetricians and neonatologists in several countries. In some others Maternal-Fetal

Medicine sections were constituted inside the Obstetrics and Gynecology National Societies.

The American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology established the Maternal-Fetal Medicine division in 1969.

According to this development, many Federations of Perinatology appeared. The first European

Congress of Perinatology took place in 1968. In 1979 and 1980 the Asia-Oceania

and the Latin American Federations of Perinatology were born.

Now correlate trends of cesarean rates in the United States: Perinatal Medicine Implemented in US 1969

1970 5.5%

1975 10.4%

1980 16.5%

1983 20.3%

and the trend has continued to rise for a current rate of 32.8%.

Interesting no? As we point our fingers at others one must remember there is always three pointing back. This article in my opinion has been written and analysised from an etic perspective and it is good to know the data is preliminary.

chamlee of WA 2:11AM February 16, 2012