The American Way of Birth

The American Way of Birth

by JessicaMitford (Author)

Synopsis

Three decades ago Jessica Mitford wrote about the idiosyncrasies of American funeral rites in "The American Way of Death", and now, with a blend of wit, commitment and curiosity, she provides a cautionary tale about how Americans give birth. The book 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 drama in which midwives are raided at gunpoint to safeguard a lucrative medical monopoly and in which Caesareans are urged to excess, so that doctors are protected in case of malpractice suits. It is also a story with bizarre features and a colourful history of practices on both sides of the Atlantic - from midwife-burning in medieval times, through the absurd precautions of the modest Victorian age, to this century's vast succession of anaesthetic, technological and "natural" birthing fashions.

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More Information

Format: Paperback
Pages: 240
Edition: New
Publisher: Gollancz
Published: 14 Oct 1993

ISBN 10: 0575056274
ISBN 13: 9780575056275