Childbirth (was to the extreme)

[Jocelyn Grunow]

No: HPFGUIDX 164867

>>>> Let me start out by asking why Voldemort's mother died from 
>>>> something
> as simple as childbirth when Hagrid was appalled by the thoughts of
> Lily and James being killed in a simple car crash? <<<
>
Firstly, we are talking about the 1920s, when childbirth was much more 
dangerous in general than today.

Secondly, she gave birth in a muggle institution.

Thirdly, even today childbirth is not utterly safe.  I know of one 
young woman with no obvious preconditions who died in childbirth. less 
than 5 years ago.  I was speaking with my obstetrician about my most 
recent pregnancy and used the phrase 'very few people die...'.  He gave 
me a rather odd look and said "Not many people seem to realise that 
women do die in childbirth, even today."  We had a little conversation 
about that fact.

Actually I think most people who haven't been at one are appallingly 
ignorant about childbirth.  Before my first delivery my antenatal class 
was asked what they feared about giving birth.  I was the only one who 
was at all worried about the pain.  Most of the class thought that 
because it was natural and joyful they could rise above it!  I often 
wondered what they thought when they actually reached transition.  
Childbirth has been vastly improved since the 1920, but it is still 
viscerally painful, terrifyingly primeval and potentially lethal (as 
well as utterly undignified).

Erm - don't mean to put off anyone still contemplating it.  I did it 3 
times, after all.

Anyway, the point I am making is that even if wizards in the 1920s had 
better techniques in assisting childbirth, she didn't have access to 
them and it is a process which is inherently dangerous.

Jocelyn