When it comes to obstetrics in America we have a pretty terrible track record. And when it comes to infant and maternal mortality we come in last in all of the industrialized world. How would you feel about birthing your baby in China, Russia, or Mexico. To be honest with you it doesn’t sound all that great to me.
Yet we as a country statistically are right along side of all three of those when it comes to way we deliver babies. I’m not trying to scare you I merely want to open your eyes. There is a reason that you should be doing research before your baby is born. There is a reason to question our idea of normal. Because frankly normal just isn’t working for us. Just look at our track record for example.
Twilight Sleep 1914 – 1945
women birthing in hospitals were give injections of scopolamine and morphine which caused them to forget the pain of childbirth. it also however caused them to go crazy. so women going through twilight sleep were strapped to their beds in effort to keep them from hurting themselves and others around them. they were often left in these beds for days sometimes having to lay in their own feces. this eventually went out of style because of the terrible treatment of mothers and risks of asphyxia to the babies. babies also were force fed the first couple of days because they were too drugged to suck. as terrible as it was it’s amazing to me that it lasted as long as it did.
X-ray 1930’s
In the 1930’s obgyn’s xrayed pregnant women to measure their pelvus’. Not only were doctor’s using x-ray they were recommending cigarettes to pregnant women. this caused an increased cancer risk and reduced brain development.
Thalidomide 1950’s – 1960’s
Thalidomide was prescribed to pregnant women in the 1950’s and 60’s for relief or morning sickness and to aid in sleep. This drug caused 10,000 children to be born with severe physical deformities.
Diethylstilbestrol (DES) 1938 – 1971
DES was prescribed to pregnant women to prevent miscarriages and other pregnancy problems. In 1953 published research showed that this was not the case however doctors continued to prescribe it to their patients for almost 20 more years. DES is now known to cause breast cancer, clear cell adenocarcinoma (a type of cervical cancer), reproductive tract structural differences (for example,t-shaped uterus), pregnancy complications, and infertility.
Cytotec 1990 – Current
Cytotec’s only FDA approved use is for treating ulcers. However this does not stop doctor’s from prescribing it to induce labor. In August 2000, Searle, Cytotec’s manufacturer, sent physicians a letter reminding them that Cytotec was not approved for use as a cervical ripening agent and that it was contraindicated for use in pregnancy. The letter listed serious adverse effects associated with using Cytotec, including maternal or fetal death, uterine rupture, and severe vaginal bleeding and shock. Cytotec is still being used in hospital’s today because of it’s affordability.
click here to watch a CBS news segment on the dangers of cytotec. seriously, watch it!
why are women still taking this drug? it is important for you to know your options.
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