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Childbirth is always somewhat traumatic; Angela's was more so as she underwent a Caesarian section, which left her tired and in pain just when her newborn needed extensive care. Toronto has one of the highest rates of C-sections in the world, leading many medical critics to question whether the procedure is over-used as much for doctors' timetables as for patients' needs. Nonetheless, her nursing care at Women's College Hospital was very good.
But the Women's College Hospital where Angela gave birth was one of the hospitals slated for closing by the right wing Harris Conservative government. Because of funding cut-backs, she had to leave within 5 days after giving birth, and having undergone a major surgery. Only with an incredible upsurge of popular resistance to the planned closure did the government back down, and the hospital has survived. Alone, in great pain, and experiencing a profound change in her life, it was only with an equally incredible l |