ries. Women have between a one in 4,000 and a one in 10,000 chance of dying from childbirth or from the pathogenic consequences that arise from the process. In the third world the maternal mortality rate may be as high as one in 15. It is said that there are more maternal deaths in India in one day than in all the developed countries in a month (Royston & Armstrong). However medicalisation cannot take all the credit for the dramatic decline in Western society. Undoubtedly other changes in the social environment, such as better nutrition, housing, general economic well being, better access to obstetric care and introduction of antibiotics, that have all supplemented this fall in maternal mortality rate to different degrees (Aiken & Mechanic).
             Contributions from obstetric management have made an impact to a number of women and babies whose lives may have been endangered without such timely medical intervention (Chard & Richard). This is evident in both planned Caesareans, where the mothers pelvis is too small or when the neonate presents in the breech position, and in emergency Caesareans, such as a distressed baby, preterm or unprogressing labour or the delivery of twins.
             Inductions are also beneficial in the correct circumstances. Not only does it save lives and prevent morbidity but it also permits unrushed admissions to hospital by allowing the dates of the birth to be predicted accurately. This benefit results in the birth fitting family schedules so all members can be present if desired. Cases have been known of induced delivery being desired so that the women can ensure the presence of a particular obstetrician or family member due to go on holiday. Moreover inductions give the woman in labour the reassurance of expectancy and planning that predictability provides.
             Additionally new methods of scanning and monitoring the foetus in utero have permitted the early diagnosis of genetically inherited conditions such as Down's ...