Henci Goer > Quotes

“Of course, if 40% of women need oxytocin to progress normally, then something is wrong with the definition of normal.”
― Henci Goer, Obstetric Myths Versus Research Realities: A Guide to the Medical Literature

“The second reason caregivers may be silent about the dark side of epidurals is that they generate big bucks for anesthesiologists and hospitals. Epidural charges range from $500 to $2500. A hospital consultant explained to me that hospitals have to maintain staff anesthesiologists around the clock to handle obstetric emergencies. In order for these doctors to make what they consider an adequate income, the hospital has to maintain something like an 80 percent epidural rate. Given this, how strongly do you think medical staff would resist the notion that epidurals are not always a good thing and most women can cope without them?”
― Henci Goer

“Examples might be soft, nonacid fruits; nonfat yogurt; cooked cereal; eggs; graham crackers; toast and jam; puddings; custard; fruit smoothies made with nonacid fruits; sweetened, noncaffeinated teas; nonfat milk; or noncreamy soup with noodles or rice. Eat or drink small quantities frequently rather than large quantities infrequently. One midwife recommends carbohydrates early in labor, moving to at least four ounces of calorie- and electrolyte-containing fluids per hour in late”
― Henci Goer, The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth