Morning reflection

[eveglass]

Throughout much of history, the #1 leading cause of death for women was... childbirth. And one of the reasons the average lifespan was so short was not because people died a lot in their 30s (though it happened sometimes), but because there was so much infant and childhood death, it skewed down the average.

I am so profoundly grateful to live in a society where we can assume pregnancies will end with a healthy mother and a healthy child.


(This thought came to me after reading an article this morning about C-sections, and how ob-gyns would prefer there be less of them, since "90% of all pregnancies could end in a vaginal birth with a healthy mother and baby.")

Comments

amen

[bytchearse.livejournal.com]

Now only if we can get the AMA to accept midwifery...

[hoppibadge.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately this is only really true in our much more privileged societies, particularly those with strong public health systems. Infant health and mortality is much better in Canada, for example, than in the U.S. where many uninsured pregnant women see a doctor for the first time in the delivery room.

In much of the developing world, the life span is still in the 30's and infant mortality and maternal death remain extremely high.

The Millenium Goals aren't in the news much these days, and they certainly won't be achieved given how far behind they are in many crucial indicators. But two of the key goals are:
* Universal access to education - meaning at least kindergarten education for all children, and
* Gender equity in education (en route to universal access) to enroll more girls in schools.

Educating girls and women has an astonishingly high correlation with improved infant mortality and community health in general.

If you want to do something tangible to improve infant mortality, help get a girl in school.

Re: amen

[eveglass.livejournal.com]

Indeed. Which is why I said "society" and not "world," unfortunately.

I've been doing a lot of reading lately on microfinance and microcredit, and really believe that this is one way to empower women and help get them and their families out of poverty.

Re: amen

[hoppibadge.livejournal.com]

I'm on the fence about microfinance. I definitely agree that there's a need for access to savings vehicles, not just credit. And the more you integrate commuity finances into savings and loans structures, then the more you need to ensure that those structures are fiscally and administratively sound, and accountable.

I am concerned, however, that the professionalisation that is inherent to microfinance will exclude and marginalize the very women who have been the strength behind successful microcredit programs.

[susieaily.livejournal.com]

Now the thing is just to know exactly who those 10% who won't end up with a vaginal delivery with healthy mom and baby are. :)

[eveglass.livejournal.com]

Well, yes. That is always the $64,000 question.

On the other hand, it's a heck of a lot better odds than in most societies in history (and many societies today, too).