Customer Reviews

Episiotomy and the Second Stage of Labor

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Kitzinger is, as always, on the side of natural childbirth. Her research proves that episiotomy is unnecessary in the vast majority of births. This book is good for those in the childbirth profession, i.e., educators, doulas, midwives. However, the information is presented in sometimes overly-technical ways. I recommend Elizabeth Bruce's "Get Through Childbirth in One Piece!" for a more readable, up-to-date coverage of the same information.

Episiotomy and the Second Stage of Labor is an excellent resource to bring to a prenatal visit & share with your doctor (if you have chosen a Midwife for a birth attendant, she has already read it!). The nature of the presentation (technical) is ideally suited to a modern MD's evidence-based education style & they will appreciate all the publication/study references. After reading the rationalles against this all-too often used intervention, it is a wonder any practitioner will continue to apply this method to most or all laboring women. Episiotomy CAN be a very useful tool to expedite delivery, especially in the event of poor fetal heart rate response to pushing, etc but to use it as a routine is a shame. Many a prolapsed uterus has an episiotomy to thank for it's existance! (yes, I was a Midwife for 12 years!)