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

(Hardback)

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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 women 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. After an introductory chapter giving basic information about the different types of medical studies, how to evaluate them, and some basic statistical concepts, Goer provides chapters on cesarean issues, pregnancy and labour management, and a review of alternative approaches. Each chapter begins with a stated myth, followed by an examination of the reality. Goer then analyses the mainstream belief, pointing out its fallacies. Then comes a list of significant points gleaned from the studies and keyed to her abstracts. Next is the outline by which the abstracts are grouped. Finally come the numbered abstracts of relevant articles published, in most cases, after 1980. The book concludes with a glossary of medical terms and an index. This compact, accurate and understandable reference tool is designed for people without medical training as well as care givers.

Reviews

"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 of Mothering the Mother
"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
.,."a good source of information on current issues of controversy and some of the pertinent literature."-Modern Midwife
...a good source of information on current issues of controversy and some of the pertinent literature.-Modern Midwife
[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 help keep one's heart and soul in the right place.-Midwifery Matters
Goer's new book is a gold mine of documented scholarly support for reducing or eliminating routine medical interventions in childbirth.-Birth-Oriented Resource Network Magazine
I would certainly recommend this book to all students of midwifery especially those following academic courses. I believe it is also essential reading for all those midwives who are engaged in ongoing debates with their medical colleagues over appropriate styles of maternity care - are there any midwives out there who are not-MIDIRS Midwifery Digest
What an outstanding book -- long awaited! Her book is outstanding in achievement: providing research to either substantiate or, more often, disprove the handling of birth in America. This book is written for every birth provider, doula, labor coach, childbirth teacher, parent, and physician who wants a clearer picture of reality versus myth in obstetrics. I highly recommend that everyone even remotely involved in birth read this book. It is the most useful, readable, current book on traditions in obstetrics and why we should question routine rather than simply go along with the norm. This book gives us the backbone to stand up for what is right: to birth our babies in our own time, without interventions.-Patty Sherman, midwife
"This 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 help keep one's heart and soul in the right place."-Midwifery Matters
..."a good source of information on current issues of controversy and some of the pertinent literature."-Modern Midwife
"[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 help keep one's heart and soul in the right place."-Midwifery Matters
"Goer's new book is a gold mine of documented scholarly support for reducing or eliminating routine medical interventions in childbirth."-Birth-Oriented Resource Network Magazine
"I would certainly recommend this book to all students of midwifery especially those following academic courses. I believe it is also essential reading for all those midwives who are engaged in ongoing debates with their medical colleagues over appropriate styles of maternity care - are there any midwives out there who are not"-MIDIRS Midwifery Digest
"What an outstanding book -- long awaited! Her book is outstanding in achievement: providing research to either substantiate or, more often, disprove the handling of birth in America. This book is written for every birth provider, doula, labor coach, childbirth teacher, parent, and physician who wants a clearer picture of reality versus myth in obstetrics. I highly recommend that everyone even remotely involved in birth read this book. It is the most useful, readable, current book on traditions in obstetrics and why we should question routine rather than simply go along with the norm. This book gives us the backbone to stand up for what is right: to birth our babies in our own time, without interventions."-Patty Sherman, midwife

Author Bio

HENCI GOER is an ASPO-certified childbirth educator and doula (professional provider of labor support). A medical writer for the past ten years, she has written numerous pamphlets and magazine articles for her fellow professionals and for expectant couples.