Question 1
Describe a technological advance that has made birth safer for the mother and the baby in developed countries. Are there potential drawbacks to consider? Explain.Question 2
Describe what birth is like for women in at least one culture where the birth process is accompanied by fear rather than purely celebration. If possible, specify the country.Answer 1
Electronic fetal monitoring tracks the heart rate of the fetus, allowing medical attendants to know whether the fetus is in distress. If this is the case, a c-section may be performed to reduce the risk to the fetus. The problem with such intense monitoring is that it may prompt medical intervention when, in fact, it is not justified. For example, the heart rate might change for a number of reasons that do not include distress. If a c-section is done unnecessarily, it increases a number of risks, such as infection and a longer recovery time for the mother.Answer 2
In New Guinea, the Arapesh believe that birth can contaminate others. Therefore, women must be brought to the outskirts of the village to give birth in a place reserved for other unclean activities, such as menstruation and excretion.