| ||||||
|
| ||||||
|
ANTHROPOLOGY AND MATERNITY This interesting course on anthropology of maternity, organized by the University of Alcala de Henares and directed by Professor R. M. Grande, was held at the University of San Antonio de Porta-Coeli at Siguenza, Spain, from 10 to 14 July, 1989. Introducing the course, Professor R. M. Grande explained what were to be considered as the more important anthropological aspects of maternity, making a clear distinction between fertilization, gestation and childbirth. Professor A. Dolezàl reviewed the different data employed in comparative studies of mammalian reproduction: weight of the female, length of gestation, number of offspring, weight of newborn, length of lactation, time of maturation, and longevity. He then summarized the somatic changes that occur during human pregnancy in relation to constitutional variation. Professor M. D. Garralda synthesised the evolutionary aspects of gestation and childbirth, describing the differences between humans and the other primates, and noting the consequences of bipedal locomotion, pelvic changes and behavioural evolution. Professor T. Laska spoke about reproductive physiology of sportswomen, considering puberty, the menstrual cycle and pregnancy, concluding that training affects the first two of these, and indicating that several Olympic women were winners of gold medals after pregnancy. In discussing adolescence and pregnancy, Professor K M. Grande commented on the relationship of adolescent difficulties with parents’ socioeconomic status. Professor L. F. Pallardo examined the effects of nutrition in pregnancy on fetal development and lactation. Anthropometry in obstetrics and the evolution of assistance at childbirth was the subject of Professor J. A. Usadizaga, who noted that only women assisted at deliveries until the 17th century when Moriceau introduced forceps; in the 19th century maternity hospitals appeared, but home deliveries were the rule until the middle of the 20th century. The physiology of pregnancy was another main theme. Professor J. Ordás summarized the physiology of fertilization (gametogenesis, fecundation, segmentation, gastrulation and organogenesis) and subsequently spoke on physiological modifications during pregnancy, indicating the risks attaching to the reproductive process, as well as the ways in which hormone function produces morphological and psychological changes. Physiology and anthropological factors of female puberty was the topic of Professor M. Alcántara who reviewed pubertal changes (morphological, clinical and endocrine) and determinants of sex development (genetic, socioeconomic, nutritional, critical weight, pathological and endocrine). Finally lactation was discussed by Professor F. Arguelles in two lectures, one on the physiology of the mammary gland and the other on present problems of natural lactation. Human behaviour provided the third theme, with lectures on cultural aspects of gestation and childbirth by Professor R Diaz Maderuelo, phenomenology of human interaction by Professor Aguirre de Carcer and haptonomy also by the latter. | ||||||