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Henci GoerFind out what other moms-to-be are asking.  Join in the discussion with Henci Goer, an expert in obstetric research. If you would like to contact Henci outside of the Ask Henci forum, send an email to Goersitemail@aol.com.

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Red Heads and Hemorhrage
Last Post 12 Jan 2008 07:17 PM by . 2 Replies.
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Sheri C Deveney, LCCE CD (DONA)User is Offline
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11 May 2007 10:20 PM QuoteQuote ReplyReply
Dear Henci,
I'm trying to find some evidence that would refute what women in my community are being told.   Recently, a mother with red hair was told that she must come to hospital early in labour for an IV as she is likely to hemorrhage.  As you can imagine, she is very scared.  The doctor specified that this is NOT a wives tale, but I can't find any evidence to support it.
Also, women under 5'3" are being classified as high risk for c/s.  Again, I'm having trouble finding support for this and yet, women are being streamed early in pregnancy and readied for the eventual c/s.

And one last thing.  A recent client of a colleague of mine was told that her c/s was indicated because the baby and uterus were very "hot".  What does that mean?  There was no infection or fever.

Any help you can send along would be appreciated.
Sheri
Henci Goer, BAUser is Offline
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12 May 2007 05:58 PM QuoteQuote ReplyReply

Oh, dear, I think the problems in your community are way beyond what either of us could provide as remedies, namely, science, rationality, logic, common sense. If you want tro try, Lamaze's Journal of Perinatal Education published a special issue, "Evidence Basis for the Ten Steps of Mother-Friendly Care," for Winter 2007. It can be downloaded for free from the CIMS website at www.motherfriendly.org or purchased for a nominal fee in hard copy. It doesn't address any of the points you raise specifically, but it offers a systematic review of the research supporting Mother-Friendly (or normal birth, if you prefer the Lamaze designation) care practices.

As for the specific points you raise, instead of looking for the evidence yourself, the woman should ask her ob to provide her with the evidence supporting the theory that red hair = hemorrhage. I think this is a variant of obstetric tales that redheads are more likely to need episiotomies and to have sore nipples when breastfeeding. The reason you can't find evidence on it is because there isn't any. It is believed that short women--and the height I have heard used is 5'0", not 5'3"-- are more likely to need a cesarean, but that, of course, will become a self-fulfilling prophecy if the woman's care providers believe it. Cases in point: research shows that women are much more likely to have c/secs if the ob believes, based on ultrasound estimates, that the baby weighs more than 4000 g (8 lb 13 oz) than if the baby actually weighs that much, but the ob didn't suspect it. Likewise, women whose prior c/sec was for lack of progress are given less time in the VBAC labors than women with other indications for the prior c/sec. Finally, I have no idea in what sense this woman's uterus was "hot" nor why that indicated cesarean surgery. All that comes to mind is--and it applies to the whole list you gave--"You can always find a reason to do something you want to do."

-- Henci

maria (guest)
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12 Jan 2008 07:17 PM QuoteQuote ReplyReply
Wow, Sheri, where the heck are you?
I don't know what worries me more, an OB/midwife saying this or a woman seriously having doubts as a result.
Man, what nonsense.
Sorry, just one of those things that make my eyes pop out.
I expect she had her baby already? i hope it went well!


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