This is from the new August 2000 Reader's Digest, p. 58: Mother's Helper An inflatable belt that goes around the abdomen may help women in labor deliver with greater ease. The new Labor Assister is specially designed to benefit the growing number of low-risk, first-time mothers who receive epidural analgesia for pain relief. These women often have prolonged labor and the new belt, which inflates and deflates in sync with contractions, could speed delivery. A U.S. trial of the device, which began in November 1998, will be completed this fall. Researchers hope to show that the belt decreases the need for instrument (forceps or vacuum extractor) or surgical (Caesarean) births by 25 percent. -- Julianne Remington, INNX Health Kathy Dettwyler *********************************************** The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html