Pregnancy and Birth

Keisha L. Goode, PhD, is visiting assistant professor of sociology at the State University of New York College at Old Westbury, USA.Barbara Katz Rothman, PhD, is professor of sociology at the City University of New York, USA.

A thoughtful look at issues confronting pregnant Americans.

• Preface1. Background and HistoryIntroductionPart I: The Development of the Fetal PatientPart II: Birthing PracticesConclusionReferences2. Problems, Controversies, and SolutionsIntroductionIndigenous Peoples' Birth OutcomesHistorical ContextIndigenous Health CareSocial Factors Impacting Indigenous HealthTransgender Peoples' Birth ExperiencesRespectful, Affirmative Care for LGBTQ PeopleProfessionalization of CaringMedia Representations of Pregnancy and BirthPerinatal Health Care System CostEvery Baby CountsReproductive JusticeConclusionReferences3. PerspectivesPerinatal Loss, Meagan Lyon LeimenaAdoption, Barbara Katz RothmanSurrogacy, Renate KleinDisability and Pregnancy, April B. CoughlinEmpathy, Pregnancy, and Mental Health, Jozette BelmontIntimate Partner Violence during Pregnancy: Health Consequences and Social Causes, Jennifer LeighCertified Professional Midwives: Leveraging Policy to Improve Health, Mary LawlorEquity in Midwifery, Indra Wood LuseroLabor and Postpartum Doula Support: How Doulas Help the Transitions of Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Postpartum Time and Why They Are Important, Kristy ZadroznyGender and Consumption, Alec Cali4. ProfilesPeople, GeneralApgar, Virginia (1909–1974)Callen, Maude E. (1898–1990)DeLee, Joseph (1869–1942)Friedman, Emanuel (1927–)Gaskin, Ina May (1940–)Joseph, Jennie (1959–)Kitzinger, Sheila (1929–2015)Lawlor, MaryLoftman, Patricia O. (1949–)Monroe, ShafiaMyers, Suzy (1949–)Sanger, Margaret (1879–1966)Sims, J. Marion (1813–1883)Smith, Margaret Charles (1906–2004)Stoney, George C. (1916–2012)Social Scientists Studying BirthDavis-Floyd, Robbie (1951–), AnthropologistJordan, Brigitte (1938–2016), AnthropologistRaphael, Dana (1926–2016), AnthropologistRoberts, Dorothy (1956–), Sociologist and Law ScholarRoberts, Lynn, Public Health ScholarRothman, Barbara Katz (1948–), SociologistStoller Shaw, Nancy (1942–), SociologistOrganizationsAmerican College of Nurse-MidwivesAmerican College of Obstetricians and GynecologistsAmerican Public Health AssociationBlack Mamas Matter AllianceBlack Women's Health ImperativeElephant CircleIn Our Own VoiceLa Leche LeagueMarch for MomsMarch of DimesMidwives Alliance of North AmericaNational Advocates for Pregnant WomenNational Association of Certified Professional MidwivesNational Association to Advance Black BirthNational Birth Equity CollaborativeNational Black Midwives AllianceOur Bodies OurselvesPlanned Parenthood5. Data and DocumentsLive Births DataBirths and Fertility RateFirst Birth RateInfant Mortality RateFigure 5.1 Infant Mortality Rate by Race and Ethnicity, 2016Figure 5.2 Infant Mortality Rate by State, 2018Maternal Mortality Rate by Race/EthnicityFigure 5.3 Maternal Mortality Rate by Race/Ethnicity, 2007–2016Birth Rate by State/RegionCesarean RateSource of PaymentPeriod of GestationBirthweightMultiple BirthsAbortion/TerminationPregnancy Loss DataStillbirthMiscarriageProvider DataMidwifery WorkforceFigure 5.4 Births Attended by Midwives, 2005–2018Table 5.1 Births by Attendant, Place of Delivery, and Race/and Hispanic Origin of Mother: United States, 2018Obstetrics-Gynecology WorkforceFigure 5.5 Estimated Change in Demand for Perinatal and Women's Health Services, 2020Formative ResearchStrong Start for Mothers and Newborns Initiative, 2012–2016Table 5.2 Outcomes for Strong Start Participants Relative to Similar Medicaid ParticipantsThe Giving Voice to Mothers Study and the Mothers on Respect IndexFigure 5.6 Mistreatment by Care Providers in ChildbirthMapping Integration of Midwives across the United StatesFigure 5.7 Mapping of Integration of Midwives in the United StatesEvidence-Based Doula CareDocumentsThe Sheppard-Towner Act (1921)Childbirth Connection Blueprint for Action (2010)Improving Access to Maternity Care Act (2017)Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act (2020)Organizational Commitments to EquityNational Association of Certified Professional MidwivesAmerican College of Nurse-Midwives6. ResourcesBooksArticlesReportsInternet Resources and Mixed Media7. ChronologyGlossaryIndex