Description
Over the last thirty years, anti-D, or Rhogam as it is known in the USA, has become accepted as being routinely advisable for rhesus negative women. Yet the question remains that ~ if women's bodies are designed to give birth without intervention for the vast majority of the time ~ why is this necessary?
This book explores the paradox that exists whereby the notion that the vast majority of women are able to give birth physiologically and without routine intervention clashes with the way that the medical professoin has come to perceive that rhesus negative women 'need' anti-D as a routine intervention, and it highlights some interesting evidence which may throw light on this paradox. Are women's bodies really fallible, or could some womens' 'need' for anti-D be caused by medical intervention in childbirth? Do women being offered anti-D know this is a blood product which may carry attendant risks? What information do women need in order to decide whether or not they will have anti-D?
The book begins by exploring the historical and current research evidence in this area in detail, outlining the 'facts' and the questions which remain unanswered. The results of research carried out to expand midwifery knowledge in this area are also presented and discussed. A reflective approach is taken throughout, which raises critical questions of philosophy and practice relating to this and other areas of knowledge.
