an appendix to pearlofcivilization.net
Symphysiotomy survivors gather to recount stories of torture
‘Often performed in the place of the more commonplace Caesarean section, symphysiotomies involved breaking the woman’s pelvis during childbirth. The Survivors of Symphysiotomy (SOS) group claims that the operations were carried out without prior knowledge or consent “mainly for religious reasons, by obstetricians who were opposed to family planning.”’
Mary Toft – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
“Mary Toft (née Denyer; c. 1701–1763), also spelled Tofts, was an English woman from Godalming, Surrey, who in 1726 became the subject of considerable controversy when she tricked doctors into believing that she had given birth to rabbits.”
The Marshall Institute – Who Speaks for Science in Court?
“We’ve actually accomplished no improvement whatsoever, yet we have completely changed the environment for obstetrics with this sort of legally peddled optimism about what gadgets and knives can do.”
WombEcology by Michel Odent – fetus ejection reflex and art of midwifery
“opportunities to suggest that the true role of the midwife is to protect an environment that makes the ejection reflex possible”
Is the Participation of the Father at Birth Dangerous? – by Michel Odent
“couvade” = hatching rituals