Contemporary World Issues #: Pregnancy and Birth

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Pregnancy and Birth: A Reference Handbook provides students with information too often ignored in sex education-on what pregnancy and birth are, have been, and can be as transformative personal and social events. Pregnancy and Birth: A Reference Handbook is a woman-centered reference book on pregnancy and childbirth in the United States. The medicalization of pregnancy and childbirth is a theme; however, primary emphasis is on the historical and contemporary significance of alternatives to medicalization provided by the Midwifery Model of Care and how that can improve outcomes for all, but especially underserved women. The volume opens with a background and history of the topic, followed by a chapter on related problems, controversies, and solutions. A Perspectives chapter contains essays from a variety of individuals who are invested in the topic of pregnancy and birth. The remaining chapters provide students with additional information, such as profiles, data and documents, resources, a chronology, and a glossary. This book is accessible to high school and college-level researchers, as well as general-interest readers curious about the topic. Introduces readers to a perspective on U. S. pregnancy and childbirth that is woman-centeredCenters the historical and contemporary significance of midwives and the Midwives Model of CareIlluminates the strength of U. S obstetric dominance by reporting legislative and policy barriers limiting women' s access to midwifery careHighlights both the racial-ethnic disparities across the birth provider workforce and racial-ethnic disparities in U. S. birth outcomesHighlights regional disparities, with specific attention to rural communities, in U. S. birth outcomes