Born In The USA: How A Broken Maternity System Must Be Fixed To Put Women And Children First Download Free (EPUB, PDF)

                
              
Born In The USA: How A Broken Maternity System Must Be Fixed To Put Women And Children First Download Free (EPUB, PDF)
In this rare, behind-the-scenes look at what goes on in hospitals across the country, a longtime medical insider and international authority on childbirth assesses the flawed American maternity care system, powerfully demonstrating how it fails to deliver safe, effective care for both mothers and babies. Written for mothers and fathers, obstetricians, nurses, midwives, scientists, insurance professionals, and anyone contemplating having a child, this passionate exposé documents how, in the most expensive maternity care system in the world, women have lost control over childbirth and what the disturbing results of this phenomenon have been. Born in the USA examines issues including midwifery and the safety of out-of-hospital birth, how the process of becoming a doctor can adversely affect both practitioners and their patients, and why there has been a rise in the use of risky but doctor-friendly interventions, including the use of Cytotec, a drug that has not been approved by the FDA for pregnant women. Most importantly, this gripping investigation, supported by many troubling personal stories, explores how women can reclaim the childbirth experience for the betterment of themselves and their children.Born in the USA tells:* Why women are 70% more likely to die in childbirth in America than in Europe* What motivates obstetricians to use dangerous and unnecessary drugs and procedures* How the present malpractice crisis has been aggravated by the fear of accountability* Why procedures such as cesarean section and birth inductions are so readily used
Paperback: 312 pages
Publisher: University of California Press; 1 edition (May 21, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0520256336
ISBN-13: 978-0520256330
Product Dimensions:  6 x 0.9 x 9 inches
Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review:  4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (62 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #165,347 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)   #60 in Books > Textbooks > Medicine & Health Sciences > Administration & Policy > Health Policy   #125 in Books > Medical Books > Administration & Medicine Economics > Health Policy   #251 in Books > Textbooks > Medicine & Health Sciences > Administration & Policy > Health Care Delivery
This book includes the most comprehensive description of what's wrong with the US maternity care system and what should be done about it that I've ever read. It's well organized, well referenced, and--considering the scope of the problem--even optimistic. Dr. Wagner used to work in maternal child health in the World Health Organization, and his wide experience of maternity care systems all over the world adds necessary perspective to the discussion about how women should give birth, who decides, and why one might want to consider about all this before having a baby, instead of afterward.The chapter on the witch-hunt against US midwives is essential reading for anyone who cares about the status of women and babies. The chapter on the culture of medicine and how this is enforced is fascinating and horrifying.The book is must reading for those who think that our country can't hope to put together a system that works better for mothers and babies--and waste less money while we're at it. It should be required for anyone in the field of maternity care: nurses, physicians, midwives, childbirth educators, doulas, policy makers, lawmakers, judges--the list goes on and on.Truly a great achievement. I hope this book gets the reading it deserves.If it does, I believe that people will make our lawmakers follow the recommendations that Wagner makes at the end of the book.
This book has opened my eyes to many unknowns about obstetrical care in the US. I had a home birth and am very interested in these issues. The difference between midwifery care and OB care for low-risk women is immense (I've had both). The basic premise is that midwives should care for healthy, low-risk pregnancies and births with OBs acting as backups. Most other western countries use this model, which has healthier outcomes. (None of this applies for pregnancies with complications - although we need to be careful about how we determine if women are "high-risk")One thing I have seen about this debate is that some people think that women who want natural, drug-free births want it just for the "experience". Some women have expressed "pressure" to do a natural birth and they resent this. What needs to be communicated - and Wagner does this in his book through citing many, many studies - is that natural births are HEALTHIER for women and babies. It's like complaining that people are pressuring you to lose weight if you are obese. It's just the right thing to aim for.Wagner makes his cases with lots and lots of statistical backup. He points out that much of OB care is based on common practices instead of evidence. He doesn't make that mistake in his book! That's my only warning to readers - be ready for a lot of detailed studies.Finally, Wagner proposes a solution to the problem. I am also working on trying to educate women about these issues with my website [...] and blog. If women understood that they are the consumers that need to start demanding better care, we might see change. The only problem is that most women think all these interventions mean they ARE getting the best care, but the statistics don't support that.
As a labor and delivery nurse and aspiring midwife, I can tell you that unfortunately, what Dr. Wagner discusses in this book is definitely occurring in hospitals. This book outlines with excellent sources why our country is such a mess with regards to maternity care. He explains how delivering in a hospital with an OB can actually end up being more harmful than safe for women with normal pregnancies. OB's have become so frightened of the small percentage of complications that can occur with normal labor that they have created interventions that interfere with the natural process and can actually cause other problems. The policies and procedures carried out in most hospitals are the least conducive to a normal delivery- beginning from the time the mother is strapped into bed to a monitor and ending with pushing on her back. Dr. Wagner points out that what is worse is that there is no scientific basis for many of the routine interventions that are carried out, and in fact, in many cases, scientific data that it is harmful. This book is a must read for everyone who cares about protecting pregnant women and their babies.My only complaint is that at times the book is repetitive and disorganized. This however did not detract from the important information that is in it. I have been quoting it to everyone I know since I read it.
This book was an eye-opener for me and I was aware of many of the problems with the maternity system before I read it. It goes much deeper than I thought. Dr. Wagner presents a great evidence-based objective analysis of the problems with maternity care in the U.S. I chose a homebirth with my last child for some of the things he talked about- the lack of choice I had as to whether I could VBAC because I had 2 previous c-sections. For anyone who doubts his book- you have been blinded by mainstream hype. This book really is what goes on. I've seen it myself in many ways, and Dr. Wagner presents evidence to show that the system indeed is broken.
This book is a wake-up call to American women. The information contained in it is shocking. For any woman who has gone to the hospital, putting herself in the hands of the doctors, and walked away with a terrible birth experience, this book is important. For any woman, or partner of a mother to be this book will help you make informed choices about one of the most profound experiences of your life. After reading this book, and several others-including Ina May Gaskin's Guide to Childbirth-I choose to have a homebirth. Which was a beautiful, and empowering experience. Very different from my hospital experience. Well-written and scientifically based.
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