That’s what I said, no?
The particular type of episiotomy performed in my case, called a hockey stick episiotomy because of the shape of the incision, was what was uncommon. Plus, obviously I’m talking about the rarity of episiotomies back then when I was born, not today.
There was a baby in the NICU at the same time as my daughter who was hydrocephalic. His head was larger than mine.
He had many shunts put into his head over a long period of time. He was released from the hospital when he was approximately 7 months old. His head looks mostly normal now, except for the scars from the shunts. He does suffer from mild cerebral palsy and also mild mental retardation. But he is an extrememly loving child and cute as a button.
I’d say his quality of life is just fine.
Some counterpoints to the ban are here. I don’t claim this is an objective source, but the points are worth considering.
Friend o’ mine in high school was a 2-months premature hydrocephalic baby in 1977. He had a 4.0 GPA all throughout school and is working on his Master’s degree now. His head’s big but he cuts his hair in a way that minimizes it.
A relevant data point that should be added here is that the official position of the American Medical Association is that there is no situation where Intact Dilation and Extraction (PBA) is the only acceptable medical procedure. The AMA discourages use of the procedure. However, the AMA also opposed the recent bill on the basis that they oppose anything that takes decision making away from doctors.
Based on this it appears that a lot of these procedures are being done in preference to other options.
Here is the link: http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2003/04/07/prsc0407.htm
Note it quotes the 2,200 number which I understand is somewhat suspect estimate.