Downsides of a Caesarean: Women who give birth to their first child by Caesarean section are far less likely to have a subsequent vaginal delivery than if they have had a forceps delivery.
More than 280 women were surveyed three years after they underwent instrumental delivery or Caesarean section to evaluate the consequences for future pregnancies. They were less likely to report difficulty conceiving and were more likely to have achieved a further pregnancy after an instrumental vaginal delivery than after a Caesarean section.
University challenge
The department of epidemiology and public health at University College Cork has launched an undergraduate degree in public health and health promotion. Starting in October, the four-year bachelor of science programme aims to produce a new generation of public-health and health-promotion graduates who will work to protect the health of the population. Graduates will be qualified to work in the health sector, industry, academia and the voluntary sector. It is the Republic's first university-based undergraduate degree in public health and health promotion. You can get more details from Prof Ivan Perry by e-mailing i.perry@ucc.ie.
Diet aid ban
The US Food and Drug Administration is banning the sale of dietary supplements containing the herb ephedra. More
than 150 deaths and 16,000 adverse reactions have been associated with the preparation, an aid to weight loss that contains amphetamine. The ban is due to come into effect shortly. It is the first
time the US Food and Drug Administration
has banned a dietary supplement since 1994.
Are holistic workshops for you?
Interested in finding out how homeopathy works or keen to learn the basics of Buddhist meditation? Then the holistic workshops held in the restored coach houses of the Woodstown estate, in Co Waterford, may be of interest. The new series begins with an introduction to homeopathy on Saturday, January 31st. The days costs €80. Call 051-820975 or visit www.solashealing.ie for full details of the programme.
Turning your life around
If you're seeking a fresh approach to life and live closer to Dublin, you could also consider going to Redesigning Your Life, a free talk on life coaching on Tuesday, January 27th at 8 p.m. in the Beyond Centre, 91 Terenure Road North. Call 01-4929252 for details. And the next series of workshops based on the positive- thinking approach of Louise Hay begins on Thursday at 7 p.m. at Jurys Montrose Hotel in south Dublin. Each session costs 25. Call 01-2854382 for more details.
And . . . cut
The makers of an RTÉ documentary on vasectomies want to talk to men who have had a vasectomy, are about to have a vasectomy or would like to or have had a vasectomy reversed. Three thousand Irish men underwent the surgery in 1996 - and current demand for vasectomies as a permanent form of contracption is believed to be much greater. If you are interested in contributing, contact Jackie Slattery at Power Pictures on 01-4984843 or e-mail jackieslattery@yahoo.com. Compiled by Dr Muiris Houston and Sylvia Thompson
lifelines@irish-times.ie