THE CHILDBIRTH CHALLENGE

Report repeated from the February 1st bulletin, when scheduled for earlier publication, as follows: ""This is a rebuttal of Natural Childbirth, which at the time of its introduction by that medical seer Grantly Dick Read was claimed to be feasible and desirable for almost all (95%) expectant mothers. From its first indiscriminate and zealous espousal, it has been modified- so that most doctors use 'educated' or 'prepared' childbirth, based on the selection of the few fittest. Still clinics and courses in parental and mother-and-child togetherness abound- and confuse- and this book should do such to enlighten the mother-to-be and help her achieve a sensible, safe and comfortable pregnancy and delivery. Dr. Fielding indicates that natural childbirth is actually a form of hypnosis; that it ignores the human variables (and that an obstetrician is not a psychiatrist); that there are physical dangers as well as the stigma of 'failure'. He also returns the expectant mother to the doctor who should determine what procedures are to be followed (whether drugs or instruments) to conclude a comfortable pregnancy (there is advice here) with as easy a delivery as possible. His book is both instructive and reassuring.