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Show The strongest point about "natural childbirth" about herself, the is that .the' mqther--Jearformation of a baby, the anatomy of the female reproductive organs, and most important, what happens . during laboi4 and delivery. This is excellent Every modern obstetrician into his confistrives to take the mother-to-b- e dence and acquaint her with what the future will bring. Such familiarization helps dispef much of the fear associated with childbirthr: But some Tte Truth About atura Chi mirth .. ns ; "natural childbirth" enthusiasts go far beyond - the elementals. They . practice, .a. form of yoga which holds that if the patient learns to relax the pelvic muscles, the fetus will slip through the birth canal by, contractions of the uterus which is not under control of the patient's mind.. This is an interesting theory, but it 'isn't supported by any scientific facts. There is no proof that patients contract the muscles of the birth canal, thus prohibiting the progress of labor. Carefully controlled studies have shown that labor is no longer for patients in fear than it is for those who' appear calm. - : , St;., , -- : v- - . who practice such The patients are benefited, 'X ' e, The current fad in cM can help says this noted obstetrician, but it is of "natural childbirth" I ever a hospital in Baltimore, Md. Interns and doctors could hear her screams five floors above theni. After her ordeal, during which she gave birth to a. beautiful eight-pouboy, the. mother told astonished doctors: "There was ho pain at all. "Natural childbirth' is the only way to have a baby." - The physicians put little faith in her protestations of v"no pain." They knew as all doctors know that a patient who is in love with a fad,v or has been imbued with an idea, cannot be relied upon to give objective testimony even about her " own experience: The late Dr. Grantly Dick Read is called the father of "natural criildbirth." He deseryes ptaise The rasT devotee, was, in ; nd ' - . for - reminding us that anyTpatientinTlaDorrwho- - knows what to expect is not as frightened as' one " - , who is ignorant. However, modern medical advancements should be used in conjunction with Dr. Read's teachings " ' of "childbirth without fear." The current fad of "natural childbirth," a' term -of hope for many fearful expectant mothers and a term almost of derision in some medical circles, deserves" thorough analysis by those most concerned: the millions pfwomei who each year ' ' " ' become mothers. rJ As with so many fads, "natural childbirth" has germ of truth in itUnfortunately, it also has me germs' of Sometimes, it has led expectant mothers to believe that there is some magic mumbo jumbo; that will help them "dodge all pain in giving birth. In this respect, "natural childbirth" is cry el and deceptive. . -- p half-truth- s.. COVER: The jaces of the two youngsters in Paulus Leesers photo reflect the spirit of Easter. For your holiday 'reading, turn, to Taylor Caldioell's eloquent retelling of the Resurrection (p. 7) and the Easter quiz (p. 13). LEONARD $. DAVIDOW WALTER C. DREYFUS PATRICK E. O'ROURKE President and Publisher Vice President Adverting Director nd I960 Board of Editors . ' dangeirs-of-th- is wojnan-heedJearJTraining- WooJaypn' , Onerofthe o veremphasissthat me patient often" expects ho pain. When it does" strike, she may become unstrung and lose confidence in herself and those aiding her. Some "natural childbirth" enthusiasts even insist that the patient should bear the pain, without the' help of drugs. This is not only ridiculous it is cruelr The proper kind of analgesia and anesthesia, administered at the proper time during a pregnancy, is a great boon to. women in labor, and they have as much right to it as any person undergoing surgery. Unless proper anesthesia is used at the time of delivery, permanent injury to the tissues supporting the birth canal may be extensive. What everyone should remember is that modern science has not only reduced the dangers of childbirth but, with drugs in proper usage, has reduced pain to a level-n- o education for childbirth can supplement these advantages. But it is a cruel deception to promote magic nature formulas for "painless childbirth." There is no such thing. - ' . pe will and thus, f orearmed--th- at every jnqther-to-b- e suffer some pain in giving birth. No "amount of "relaxation," as taught by "natural childbirth" enthusiasts, and no degree of positive thinking can suppress all of the pairi of childbirth. By CHARLES RICHARD ALSOP GILBERT, M.D. Author of "Childbirth: The Modern Guide for Expectant Mothers" yoga-ty- judg-men- being overemphasized to a point of cruelty . - to some extent, because when in labor they aretKmfcing aboutreIaxing their muscles rather than about the pain. But any patient, can achieve the same result bydisciplhing herself to think about any object in thdelivery, room, concentrating on that object so intently she . forgets, to some extent, her labor pains. I have termed this positive thinking , and I have seen many patients practice it for their own good t, in giving birth. But it is important, in my for. maternity patients to be forewarned I, mothers-to-b- . -- ERNEST V. HEYN Editor-in-Chi- ef BEN KARTMAN Executive Editor ' ROBERT FITZGIBBON Managing Editor MARGARET BELL Feature Editor PHILLIP DYKSTRA Art Director MELANIE DE PROFT Food Editor Snd all advertising communications to Family Wwkly, 153 N. Michigan Avt., Chicago 1, III. Address all communications .about editorial features to Bob Driscoll, Irma Heldman, John Hochmann, Jerry Klein, Family Weekly, 60 E. 56th St., New York 22, N. Y. Harold London, Jack Ryan; Peer Oppenheimer, Hollywood. 1 HO, FAMILY WEEKLY MAGAZINE, INC.. 153 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago 1, III. 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