A chara, – Rev Dr Vincent Twomey (May 11th) claims that Caesarean section was dangerous in the mid-20th century in Ireland are simply incorrect and run contrary even to the articles that he refers to in his letter. Dr Alex Spain (1948) acknowledged the safety of Caesarean section and alluded to the fact he had performed seven sections on one woman. Dr Arthur Barry described the safety of Caesarean section in similar terms in his own publication in 1952, "Symphysiotomy, why, when and where?"
Dr Feeney in 1955 said that the safety of Caesarean section had been established as far back as the 1930s (Coombe Annual Clinical Report, 1955).
Far from being perceived as dangerous, Caesareans were routinely and safely performed in all hospitals in Dublin throughout the mid-20th century. In most cases in Ireland, symphysiotomy was performed prophylactically where no surgical intervention was necessary. The consent of women was neither sought nor obtained. The doctors who performed symphysiotomy claimed that it reduced the need for C-sections but they never investigated whether it actually did so. In many cases, women required Caesarean either after symphysiotomy in the same birth or in subsequent births.
One may well ask the question why was symphysiotomy performed in Ireland when Caesarean section had been established and when symphysiotomy did not actually reduce the need for Caesarean section in the first place? The only answer can be that an experiment began which went out of control based on the flawed views of a handful of senior obstetricians.
Campaigners for symphysiotomy survivors are not seeking to impugn the Catholic Church. However, they are seeking to impugn this unnecessary practice, which maimed and injured hundreds of women, including many women of the Catholic faith.
The Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, whose members performed symphysiotomy operations, has a vested interest, along with the State, in denying the truth, and has subtly blamed the Catholic Church by suggesting that doctors had to look for a surgical solution due to the Catholic laws prohibiting sterilisation and contraceptives. But this is a dishonest position because at no stage was Caesarean section dangerous nor was there a legal prohibition on sterilisation. Moreover, the size of families in Ireland went into decline from the 1930s.
Those that feel the church is being unfairly blamed for the barbaric practice of symphysiotomy in Ireland would be better placed to distance themselves from the operation rather than trying to justify it. To defend the indefensible does a grave disservice to these injured women, including members of the Catholic Church, who were subjected, without their consent, to an utterly unnecessary operation. – Yours, etc,
CONAL O’CONNOR,
Dalkey, Co Dublin.