Case LXVI: A New Operation in Childbirth

The means employed hitherto to overcome difficulties in childbirth, especially in cases of contraction of the pelvis, have been: prevention of conception, abortion, induced premature birth, Caesarean section, craniotomy, perforation, or cephalotripsy. Catholic moral teachers have always taken a decided attitude with regard to these proceedings. They have condemned all methods of preventing conception. Only under very difficult circumstances may "facultative sterility" be advisable (Capellmann, 5". Poenit., 16 June, 1880. Cf. Lehmkuhl, II. n. 851; Noldin, de sexto praecepto, n. 69; Goepfert, M. Th., III. n. 278)..Abortion, the artificially produced expulsion of the foetus at a time when it is not yet capable of independent existence, is strictly forbidden. Still more strictly is it forbidden to use any of the operations that directly cause the child's death, such as perforation, craniotomy, or cephalotripsy. Medical men are beginning to see that these operations are unjustifiable, although they do not think that they can altogether give up performing them. According to the teaching of Catholic moralists it is permissible to bring about a premature delivery at a time when the child is capable of independent existence, though it be weak when born. The Cesarean section is also allowed, except in cases where it would be of such danger to the mother as to be practically equivalent to killing her. Modern surgery and the use of antiseptics have made this operation less dangerous than it used to be, if performed in good time.

Quite recently there has been performed another operation which seems likely to be successful, viz., hebosteotomy. The bone of the pelvis is cut through at the os pubis, so that the pelvis is enlarged and a normal birth can take place. The operation does not involve any opening of the womb, but is performed by means of a very fine saw, resembling a needle, and it does not cause any very serious injury to the mother, so that no special danger or disastrous results follow it. It seems particularly useful in cases where it is impossible to induce a premature birth, or when the right time for doing so has passed. Surgeons consider that the operation can be performed privately, and that there is no need to transport a patient to a public operating room. We may therefore hope that it will result in saving the life of many children, who would otherwise perish at their birth. If my hypothesis is correct, I see no objection, from the point of view of Catholic morals, to the performance of this operation.—Dr. Goepfert.