Why is human childbirth so dangerous and inefficient?

Question

I hear of women in my community and across the world either having stillbirths or dying during the process of birth all the time. Why?

How can a dog or a cow give birth in the dirt and turn out fine, but if humans did the same, the mom/infant have a higher chance of dying? How can baby mice, who are similar to human babies (naked, gross, blind), survive the “newborn phase”?

And why are babies so big but useless? I understand that babies have evolved to have a soft skull to accommodate their big brain, but why don’t they have the strength to keep their head up?

In: Biology

Answer 1

It depends things like maternal health make a. Big difference. In countries with higher levels of maternal. Health they have better birth outcomes.

Human babies are similar to babies of apes that need carrying around rather than babies of prey creatures that are born ready to run (like foals) 2e are carry mammals rather than stash mammals so our babies are a little less independent.

When you look at books and evidence like how to give birth like a feminist we realise that many of 5he birthing practices of the western world take us away from the mammalian historic practices. Your cat will build a nest, and birth ina. Dark quiet corner. People are being encouraged to birth in brightly lit spaces with people coming and going in positions that close our pelvis and take us away from the dark quiet hormones of birth.

Oxytocin is a shy hormone it doesn’t like stress and noise and is why (UK) it is noted that the safest place to birth a second baby is at home, with first babies there is a minimally higher risk. It allows this oxytocin to flow and the body to do it’s job.

There is a place for the modern hospital etc in birthing but it needs revamping. When you look at the standards of evidence used in cardiology or respiratory it is blinded trials with A or B level evidence that is firmly evidence based and bias free. Many maternity practices are level D evidence with anecdotal evidence and fewer robust trials. It is hurting women and hurting babies