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Week of February 13 - 20, 2001


 

A new drug is said to speed up childbirth and make it less painful for mothers.  The drug doesn't even have a name yet, but it works by mimicking a natural process in the body that softens the cervix.  It reduces labour to two to three hours, rather than the 18 or 20 hours many first-time mothers experience.  The Scottish drug has been tested on animals and human trials will begin this year. 

 

If that drug ever hits the market, it might help reduce Canada's rate of Caesarian sections.  The C-section rate is on the rise in Canadian hospitals.  According to the most recent data, 18.7 per cent of hospital births were by C-section in 1997-98, up from 17.7 per cent five years earlier.  The average rate in Europe is 14 per cent.

A report by the Canadian Transport Agency recommends airlines give obese passengers a second seat at no extra charge to accommodate their special needs.  The report says that obesity should be considered a disability.   Currently, overweight passengers who don't fit comfortably into standard seats must pay for an adjacent seat themselves, or upgrade to executive class.  Air Canada allows them to buy a second seat at half-price.  But a group representing Canadian air carriers says providing extra seats to obese passengers would be prohibitively expensive.

 

 

 


 
 
 

© TVOntario, 2003

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This website contains general information on the stories featured on Your Health. Although it’s our goal to provide comprehensive information on health and medical issues, please be advised that we cannot provide individual medical advice on specific health problems.
  


© TVOntario, 2000