Obstetric Myths Versus Research Realities: A Guide to the Medical Literature (Paperback)

by Henci Goer (Author) "As a childbirth educator and a doula (someone who does labor support), I have read or heard obstetric myths-old doctors' tales, if you like-many times..." (more)
Key Phrases: spontaneous version rate, intrapartum transfer rate, birth center women, Nurse Midwifery, New York, Elec C-sec (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
“...an extremely useful resource for everyone who works in the field of maternity care, for policy makers, and for childbearing women and couples. Scientific documentation for many obstetric practices is at their fingertips in this readable guide. Childbirth educators and practitioners will find it both an educational tool for themselves and a motivation to give improved care to women in pregnancy and birth. Policy makers can use it to make their case for implementing changes in practice. Armed with the information it provides, pregnant women can ask knowledgeable questions, make informed decisions, and experience less intervention in their births. You can be sure that this thoroughly researched 'Guide to the Medical Literature' in obstetrics will be a frequently used reference.”–Birth

“[T]his would serve as a scientific obstetric 'Bible' to keep at hand, to dip into when help is needed on a particular subject. It will provide chapter and verse to support midwifery solutions to obstetric problems, it will comfort in times of despair, and it will keep one's heart and soul in the right place.”–Midwifery Matters

“Unencumbered by the burden of conventional obstetrical thinking, Ms. Goer takes a fresh look at current customs in maternity care. Using logic, common sense, and the latest scientific findings, she has written an incisive critique, inspiring us all--physicians, midwives, childbirth educators, nurses, doulas, and expectant parents--to rethink and question routine care as it exists today. This is "must" reading for all who participate in maternity care.”–Penny Simkin, P.T., Childbirth Educator, Doula co-author,Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn and author, The Birth Partner

“An extremely scholarly and detailed evaluation of the many controversial interventions and issues involved in obstetrical care.”–Marshall H. Klaus, M.D. Adjunct Professor of Pediatrics University of California, San Francisco and author,Mothering the Mother

“Many in the birth community have been waiting for this book with anticipation; it will more than fulfill their expectations. Kudos to Henci Goer for providing quick, easy, and comprehensive access to essential information about the dangers of technobirth. Women in the technocracy have too rapidly embraced the Trojan horse of technology without looking inside this "gift" to see its very real dangers. Let this book be their wake-up call!”–Robbie E. Davis-Floyd, Ph.D. author,Birth as an American Rite of Passage

“Maternity care as we know it is based on myths that are hammered home as truths. This book offers the chance to break free from that pessimistic model and embrace one of genuine health care. Ms. Goer teaches you how to understand the medical/obstetric literature . . . She also shows through the literature how midwifery and out-of-hospital birth are scientifically valid and more likely to result in a healthy mother and baby.”–Roberta M. Scaer, M.S.S. Co-author, A Good Birth, A Safe Birth

Product Description
Anyone working to improve the childbearing experience and help women avoid unnecessary intervention has encountered numerous "obstetric myths" or "old doctors' tales." And while the evidence in the medical literature may be solidly, often unequivocably, against whatever "the doctor said," without access to that evidence, the pregnant woman is quite reasonably going to follow her doctor. This book is an attempt to make the medical literature on a variety of key obstetric issues accessible to people who lack the time, expertise, access, or proximity to a medical library to research concerns on their own. This compact, accurate, yet understandable reference is designed for people without medical training and organized for easy access.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Bergin & Garvey Paperback; 1 edition (February 28, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0897894278
• ISBN-13: 978-0897894272
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #211,103 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great scholarly reference, yet easily understandable., September 5, 1998

By A Customer

If you're wondering if natural, undrugged, or midwife-supported childbirth is for you, you need look no further than the pages of this book for the definitive answer. If you're already a believer in the non-medicalized approach to childbearing, this book will provide the scientific ammunition you need to answer the challenges of your friends, family and doctor. Henci Goer has assembled a comprehensive array of the latest scientific literature about childbirth, and the amazing thing is that the science is on the side of alternative birthing, both in terms of maternal and neo-natal safety.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wealth of research condensed for easy access!, December 27, 1996

By A Customer

This book is a real time saver as it summarizes the available research on a number of topics vital to childbirth. Ms. Goer has meticulously examined the literature with an eye to well-done research, and uses this summary to expose the myths held by many obstetric practitioners. One example of this is the myth that the drugs used in an epidural do not reach the baby. If you are doing labor support, take this book to the hospital with you!

26 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well organized and impressive from the foreward on!, July 29, 1999

By	JEANNIE, ICCE, CLE (SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA) - See all my reviews

I have implemented much of this information in my childbirth education class believing that freedom of choice is based on knowledge of alternatives. This book is well writen with references to volums of medical research to substantiate it's claims. I encourage my clients and collegues to read it.