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Conrad Simon (1963-1995)
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© Copyright 1999-2010
Eileen Nicole Simon
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Conrad Simon Memorial Research Initiative

1950 - The danger of cesarean birth

    Obstetrics replaced midwifery early in the 20th century [5].  With use of
    anesthesia, and cesarean deliveries, obstetrics became a surgical specialty.

    Landau et al. (1950) described the respiratory distress that often afflicted
    infants born by cesarean section, and they described how the delivery
    procedure might be the cause:

    "Usually at the time of cesarean section as soon as the uterus is
    opened the operator delivers the infant as rapidly as is consistent
    with the infant's safety.  The cord is clamped and cut immediately
    and the infant is handed to the waiting assistant...

    ...This is in marked contrast to the procedure during normal or
    vaginal delivery.  At this time the cord is not clamped and severed
    until pulsations have ceased." [6, p423]

    Clearly, placental circulation is not magically transferred to the lungs at the
    moment the uterus is opened by surgical incision.  Clamping off of placental
    circulation should have been recognized as especially dangerous following
    cesarean births.


5. Declercq ER. The trials of Hanna Porn: the campaign to abolish midwifery in
     Massachusetts. Am J Public Health. 1994 Jun;84(6):1022-8.
6. Landau DB et al. Death of cesarean infants: a theory as to its cause and a  
     method of prevention. J Pediatr Apr 1950; 36(4):421-6.
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