Symphysiotomy--cruel Irish operation to avoid caesarean section. [View all]
Article in Guardian 12-12-2014.
As I understand it, it was thought more than 3 ceasareans was dangerous. Therefore they should be avoided.
The procedure involved cutting through the catilage of pelvic joint or through pelvic bone itself. This was done to widen the birth canal so that the baby could be born vaginally.
The procedure often led to inontinence and lifelong pain.
The women were not asked for consent.
There is the belief that doctors doing this believed ceasarens would limit the number of babies a woman could have, a definite no-no in classic Catholic theology.
The article discusses the history of the practice, reasons why it was done, the long-term consequences for the women, fight for reparations.
A horrible story of mistreatment of women.
I first heard about this from a post yrs ago at DU.
= new reply since forum marked as read