Evolution of childbirth practices

Those of us who are involved in birth advocacy issues are very concerned about the medicalization of pregnancy and chidbirth, unnecessary medical interventions, rising Cesarean rates. It can be somewhat encouraging to consider how much better the whole child-bearing experience is for most women in Canada compared to 50 years ago.

I just read a great story about Norman Morris, a professor and obstetrician in the UK, who apparently had a huge impact on attitudes and practices surrounding childbirth. He died last month, so his career was chronicled briefly in the Telegraph.

Here's a taste:

Throughout his life Morris was guided by a deep humanism. He felt that the way in which women were traditionally treated by the health service was inhumane, and that the psychological stress involved often militated against the best possible outcomes and tended to increase demand for artificial pain relief.

Thanks to Kimberly from The Trial of Labor for the link.