Andrew writes (apropos of epidurals and, by implication, routine
suctioning) : 'Well, go visit an "old" cemetery and count the infant graves
and then go to a
"new" cemetery and count the infant graves.  Need I say more?'

Well, yes please...a *bit* more would be a whole lot more fair to mothers,
babies and history....such as the fact that

 i) public health measures (improved hygiene, adequate sewage, clean water) and

 ii)  generally improved nutrition

have had a far greater role to play in reducing infant mortality in the
West than (for example) universal epidurals and routine sunctioning....

Heather Welford Neil
NCT bfc Newcastle upon Tyne UK