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

by Henci Goer

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.

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 labor management, and a review of alternative approaches. Each chapter begins with a stated myth, followed by an examination of the reality. Goer then analyzes 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.

Genres: Nonfiction, Parenting

400 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Henci Goer is an award-winning author, research analyst, and advocate for maternity care reform whose work has helped to shape the evidence-based birth movement for more than 40 years. Her commitment began with her own transformative second birth, which revealed how profoundly maternity care practices can affect parents’ physical and emotional well-being for good or ill.

Henci has dedicated her career to closing the gap between research and practice. She is the author of five books, including The Thinking Woman’s Guide to a Better Birth and Optimal Care in Childbirth, and has written more than a hundred articles, guides, and analyses, many of which she shares through her free online Resource Library.

Her latest work, the Take Charge of Your Birth series of books, builds on decades of advocacy—equipping families and birth workers with the clarity, confidence, and evidence needed to make informed, collaborative decisions throughout pregnancy and birth.

Reviews

[Travis]

This book is amazingly well reseached and anyone who is concerned with how the medical system 'manages' birth or is thinking about birth in a hospial with some concern should read it. It's expensive, but worth every penny.

[Heather]

I might like to buy this someday.

I didn't realize how old it was before I interlibrary-loaned it. It's quite interesting, but funny to read about maternity care research from the 80s.

[Sharon]

What can I say... We (healthcare providers) all know we should be using research based practice. But so much of the time we let the social expections and the old myths about childbirth guide us instead. I would read an updated version of this book today.

[Bianca]

Please, please, for the love of birth, please come out with an update for this book. It is an invaluable resource.

[Deena Scintilla]

If more OBs would practice according to the evidence-based research, health care costs would be much less and our infant AND maternal mortality rates would drop.

[Jenni Pertuset]

I wanted a home birth, my husband thought it'd safer in a hospital -- until we read this. It's a clear, readable presentation of the gap between what research shows is best for mother and baby and the typical medical treatment of labor and birth. (We decided on a birth center).

[Dee]

A little less loaded and more "matter of fact" than "Thinking woman..." but the same idea. Exceptionally well researched.

[Leah]

Obstetric Myths Versus Research Realities: A Guide to the Medical Literature by Henci Goer (1995)

[Rachel Beider]

As a professional birth doula, I highly suggest reading Obstetric Myths vs Research Realities.