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A Brief Overview of How Male Medicine Co-Opted the Midwife’s Role in the Birth Process
. . . Medicine gradually gained control of the birthing process and eliminated the lay midwife. The first step in this process would be the establishment of medicine as a profession. Once this was accomplished, the formation of professional associations with lobbying power in individual states would become an effective method for controlling licensure and limiting the activities of midwives as well as placing legal sanctions on them. All of this occurred while females were barred from entering the profession of medicine. . . READ MORE of this article by Leonard F. Vernon, Sherman College of Chiropractic, Spartanburg, SC, USA: https://www.scirp.org/html/2-1440513_59725.htm Medical Disclaimer: The information on this blog is for educational…
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In 2023, Gynecologist, Robert Harden, 64, who sexually abused over 200 patients for over two decades at prestigious New York hospital was sentenced to 20 years in jail.
. . . “Over two decades later, Monson saw a television report in which abuse similar to what she endured was described by Evelyn Yang, whose husband Andrew Yang ran for president in 2020 and New York City mayor in 2022. Yang said Hadden sexually assaulted her years ago when she was seven months pregnant. She also said Columbia had denied knowing about Hadden’s abuse until 2012. Monson said she recalled her 1994 complaint to Columbia and the hospital’s response, and thought: “That’s a total lie and I have the evidence that will prove that’s a total lie.” “Hall praised her, saying: “I honestly think you are the only reason…
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Let’s Say it Plainly: Pelvic Exams Without Consent Are Rape
. . .But really, the fact that we need a law at all is troubling. It means that women’s bodies are up for grabs unless we say otherwise — that we have to proactively ask not to be penetrated, that the default assumption is that consent is irrelevant unless a law says otherwise. This is why the “no means no” model of sexual consent has never been enough; it presupposes that women are open to sex or penetration unless otherwise stated. That’s the reason most sexual assault experts now consider “yes means yes” the gold standard of consent — it’s the idea that the absence of a “no” is not…
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PTSD and Obstetrics Violence
Qualitative studies have shown that a main issue for these traumatized women was the inadequate quality of care (Allen 1998). A meta-ethnographic analysis of studies about women’s perceptions and experiences of a traumatic birth reported that women are often traumatized as a result of the actions or inactions of midwives, nurses and doctors (Elmir et al. 2010). In that review, women described having no control over their birthing experience. Their opinions were ignored and they were subjected to authoritarian decision-making. Women also felt healthcare professionals failed to consider them as individuals with a right to make informed decisions (Thomson and Downe 2008). They felt betrayed . . . READ MORE…
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Postpartum Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Women who have experienced a previous trauma, such as rape or sexual abuse, are also at a higher risk for experiencing postpartum PTSD. . . READ MORE of this article by Postpartum Support International: Medical Disclaimer: The information on this blog is for educational purposes only. It is not intended in any manner as professional medical advice. I am not a medical doctor. The reader should consult a healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information on this blog for their own situation, or if they have questions or issues regarding a medical condition.
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Traumatic Childbirth Experience and Childbirth-Related Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): A Contemporary Overview
Globally, there is increasing attention to positive and traumatic childbirth experiences. The first studies were conducted in the late 1990s, and recently the World Health Organization (WHO), among others, has again highlighted the importance of a good childbirth experience. . . READ MORE of this article by Leonieke Kranenburg, Conceptualization, Writing – original draft, Visualization,1,* Mijke Lambregtse-van den Berg, Writing – review & editing,2 and Claire Stramrood, Conceptualization, Writing – original draft3 Jon Øyvind Odland, Academic Editor, Luca Rollè, Academic Editor, and Laura Vismara, Academic Editor https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9957091/ Medical Disclaimer: The information on this blog is for educational purposes only. It is not intended in any manner as professional medical advice. I am not a medical doctor. The reader should consult a healthcare provider…
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Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Post Partum
Traumatic birth experiences may lead to serious psychological impairment. Recent studies show that a considerable number of women can develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), in some cases in a subsyndromal form. . . If exacerbated by emotional problems, for some women the perinatal period can be a time in which the greatest vulnerability is experienced. . . READ MORE of this article by W. Schwab, C. Marth, and A. M. Bergant: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4168363/ Medical Disclaimer: The information on this blog is for educational purposes only. It is not intended in any manner as professional medical advice. I am not a medical doctor. The reader should consult a healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the…
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The Toll of Birth Trauma on Your Health
Any negative meaning you associate with childbirth can stay with you for a long time. Unfortunately, many parents think they should ignore their feelings and present a happy face to the world. But it’s important to value your emotional health, recognize that your feelings matter, and give voice to your experience. This is the way you begin to heal. READ MORE of this article by the March of Dimes: https://www.marchofdimes.org/find-support/topics/postpartum/toll-birth-trauma-your-health Medical Disclaimer: The information on this blog is for educational purposes only. It is not intended in any manner as professional medical advice. I am not a medical doctor. The reader should consult a healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of…
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I felt raped: Breaking the Silence Around Gynecology Violence:
Specialists in sexual and reproductive health say that gynecological violence is a form of violence with many varied expressions, from unnecessary procedures, the pathologization of physiological processes, medical misinformation and maltreatment, aggressive practices that provoke harm and injuries, and even inappropriate and violating comments like those that both women heard — all of which are experienced during gynecological care beyond pregnancy, childbirth, and puerperium. . . READ MORE of this article by Anaiz Zamora, Greta Rico: https://womensmediacenter.com/women-under-siege/i-felt-raped-breaking-the-silence-around-gynecological-violence Medical Disclaimer: The information on this blog is for educational purposes only. It is not intended in any manner as professional medical advice. I am not a medical doctor. The reader should consult a…
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Developing a woman-centered, inclusive definition of positive childbirth experiences: A discussion paper
The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes that the woman’s relationship with her maternity care providers is central to a positive childbirth experience. . . One longitudinal study following more than 900 women 5 years postpartum found that when medical intervention was avoided during childbirth, participants were more likely to report a positive childbirth experience in the long term. . . Recommendations from the World Health Organization consider good interactions between women and their maternity care providers to be a prerequisite for positive childbirth outcomes. Quality of provider interaction (QPI) refers to a woman’s perception of her care provider’s interpersonal verbal and nonverbal behaviors. . . READ MORE of this article by…
