The development the large human head and broad shoulders provide many evolutionary benefits for our species but also require assistance for a safe birth and often present life threatening complications in the birth process. Yet gorillas, our 300-pound primate cousins, give birth without assistance in approximately 15 minutes.
In this edition of Radio Curious we visit with pediatrician Dr. Mark Sloan, author of “Birth Day: A Pediatrician Explores the Science, the History, and the Wonder of Childbirth”
In our conversation Dr. Sloan explains how our transition from being four legged creatures to two legged ones has forced us to cope with unique physical and cultural differences, how we cope with these changes and the role medicine plays. We explore what some of the benefits of cesarean deliveries be as well as the possible, but unverified consequences this birth form present.
I spoke with Dr. Mark Sloan on July 3rd, 2009 from his home in Santa Rosa, California. We began our conversation when I asked to him to explain why the human birth process was more difficult than in other primates.
We spoke with Dr. Mark Sloan from his home in Santa Rosa, California on July 3rd 2009.
The book he recommends is “The Discovery of France” by Graham Robb.
