When I was in Israel last year, I was impressed by the openness of the Israelis to new ideas and their ability to get moving with new projects. The Birth Centre at Tel Hashomer Hospital was one innovation that was nearing completion when I paid a visit and I know that under Debby Gedal-Beer’s direction they have been enjoying great success.

I recently received the following letter that Debby sent to the Midwifery Today E-Bulletin and as it is now dong the rounds of the various email lists, I am reproducing it here to make sure that the message reaches as many people as possible. I am sure that she would be happy to hear from you, if you wanted to contact her, so I have left her contact details at the bottom of the letter. We must all be vigilant when it comes to the exploitation of women’s bodies, and this blatant example deserves to be stopped in its tracks.

"A high tech company called Barnev (www.barnev.co.il/) is currently manufacturing a product called a computerized labor monitoring system. This product works by placing two clips with electrodes on a laboring woman's cervix and a scalp electrode on the fetus and using ultrasound waves to measure cervical dilation and height (descent) of the fetal head. I am aware of this product because of clinical trials were held at the hospital with which I am affiliated. In spite of the midwives' opposition to using this mechanical device on women, we were not able to totally block its use (although some changes were made in the informed consent, and many women did not agree to participate due to midwives' explaining to them what was involved). The trials were moved to other hospitals where the midwives were not as vocal in their opposition, and now the company is promoting use in Europe and the US. I understand that they have received or will be receiving Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval. The product is being promoted as a means to assess women's progress in labor without a manual vaginal examination.

I believe that this product takes advantage of and potentially harms women and their babies in labor, all for the purpose of economically profiting a biotech company. I believe that steps need to be taken at a higher level regarding the ethical considerations.

How do E-News readers suggest that I carry on from here? Can you offer any support/ideas? I feel that this issue is not only within the midwifery realm, but takes advantage of women's rights and of women's bodies for research purposes under the guise of medical treatment. You can contact me at: Debby.Gedal-Beer@sheba.health.gov.il".

Debby Gedal-Beer, CNM, MSc.
Coordinator of Women's Health and Midwifery Education
Sheba Academic School of Nursing
Tel Hashomer, Israel