Canadian midwives issue statement on elective Caesarean section.

• Tenlastelegging: Brief Article

The Canadian Association of Midwives (CAM) has produced a position statement, in alliance with the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada, which states a belief that 'vaginal birth is clearly the safest birth for most women and babies, and that caesarean surgery on demand will have disastrous social and financial consequences for health internationally'. In addition, the association advocates safe, sensitive care within a health system that maximises women's ability to have a normal physiologic labour and birth, and notes that resources are needed to support continuity of care, one-to-one care in labour and increased access to midwifery services

CAM's statement continues by expressing concern about the current 'mechanical and fragmented vision of the body and birth and ... our society's "culture of fear" around childbirth'. The rising intervention levels demonstrate the extent to which the 'epidemic of risk' has spread in maternity care. Research on 'Caesarean section by request' clearly shows that anxiety and fear play a major...