Montgomery1958

Physiology versus human interventions

Montgomery (1958) questioned whether labor could safely be induced,

whether medications for analgesia and anesthesia are safe, what positions

for delivery might be most comfortable, whether forceps lessen morbidity and

mortality, how best to prevent bacterial infections, and how the umbilical cord

should be handled after delivery. He commented:

“It is the common experience of those who have practiced clinical

obstetrics for a number of years that one cannot depart from the

physiologic pattern of reproduction without courting trouble.” [16,

p706].

Montgomery stressed the importance of delayed ligation of the umbilical cord

to prevent a lapse in respiration and to provide the newborn with its full

complement of blood. However, he pointed out:

“When the human animal began to develop his mechanical

propensities and especially when man discovered the ligature, the

pulsating umbilical cord became an inviting site to which to apply his

new discoveries. As a result, prompt ligation and division of the cord

after delivery became pretty much the rule.” [16, p710]

16. Montgomery TL. Physiologic considerations in labor and the puerperium. Am J
Obstet Gynecol. 1958 Oct;76(4):706-15.

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