New Criteria to Evaluate the Practices of Midwifery and Obstetrics

A position on the necessity of evaluating both obstretrics and midwifery is
offered to utilize what strengths each discipline brings birthing mothers. But beyond
this, the effects of birth on subsequent events, for example breastfeeding in the short
term, and the potential for sweeping effects in the long term for the culture are
included. To summarize, the accumulation of research in a number of areas points to
the conclusion that interfering with pre- or perinatal development can have future
effects currently not envisioned. Studies that demonstrate this conclusion are offered,
from animal studies (ewes given epidural anaesthesia procedure at birth having the
effect that they do not take care of their babies) to humans (c-sections). Comparisons
are drawn to similar procedures that may be at the root of some existential changes
occuring in our own civilization.
KEY WORDS: Evaluation, obstetrics, midwifery, genetics, environmental, civilization