The American Way of Birth

Download or read book The American Way of Birth written by Jessica Mitford and published by . This book was released on 1999-07 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This provocative book shows how and in what circumstances Americans give birth. It is not about the miracle of life, but about the role of money and politics in a lucrative industry; a saga of champagne birthing suites for the rich, and desperate measures for the poor. It is a colorful history -- from the torture and burning of midwives in medieval times, through the absurd pretensions of the modest Victorian age, to this century1s vast succession of anesthetic, technological, and 3natural2 birthing fashions. And it is a comprehensive indictment of the politics of birth and national health. Explores conventional and alternative methods.