Epiphany: EIFWAIL as psychologically easier myth debunked

Epiphany: EIFWAIL as psychologically easier myth debunked: “Marie Meidl at the Hannibal Clinic in Hannibal, Missouri, entitled, ‘EIFWAIL and Psychological Distress.’

Dr. Meidl looked through the literature to find what she could that would support the theory that inducing labor early in cases where the child in utero has fatal anomalies (such as anencephaly) will relieve the psychological pressure that is on the mother. This theory is what operates in hospitals like Providence Alaska, as I documented back in March of 2004. However, Dr. Meidl found no support for that theory. ‘Surprisingly,’ she writes, ‘the assertion that EIFWAIL relieves maternal emotional suffering is not supported in the medical literature.’

Dr. Meidl then cites seven studies on the subject from distinguished journals like the British Medical Journal and Obstetrics and Gynecology. Here’s her straightforward conclusion: ‘In sum, the above studies did not show a psychological benefit or reduction of grief in women who chose pregnancy termination compared with those who suffered [the] stillbirth or perinatal death of their infant.'”

HT Epiphany Blog for spotting this