Written by a physician, this book embraces the power and possibility of integrative childbirth, in which the compassionate tradition of midwives is combined with the technical expertise of western medicine. --from publisher description.

Describes different approaches to childbirth and their advantages and disadvantages, including midwife delivery and birth centers.

The delivery of high quality and equitable care for both mothers and newborns is complex and requires efforts across many sectors. The United States spends more on childbirth than any other country in the world, yet outcomes are worse than other high-resource countries, and even worse for Black and Native American women. There are a variety of factors that influence childbirth, including social determinants such as income, educational levels, access to care, financing, transportation, structural racism and geographic variability in birth settings. It is important to reevaluate the United States' approach to maternal and newborn care through the lens of these factors across multiple disciplines. Birth Settings in America: Outcomes, Quality, Access, and Choice reviews and evaluates maternal and newborn care in the United States, the epidemiology of social and clinical risks in pregnancy and childbirth, birth settings research, and access to and choice of birth settings.

Offers expectant mothers seeking natural childbirth in a hospital a detailed look at pregnancy and labor, explaining how to create a mutually supportive relationship among birth-care providers and make informed choices.

Birthing is a miraculous time when you and your baby will work together to bring about life. As you finally cradle your precious newborn in your arms, you should know deep in your soul that every decision that brought the two of you to this special moment was yours. More families than ever are choosing to birth at home. Midwives Jane E. Drichta and Jodilyn Owen answer questions about the kind of care, support, and information you need as you investigate whether this option is right for you. Birth can be an empowering and positive experience, and this book provides gentle guidance, with high regard for your wisdom and ability to successfully navigate your prenatal care, birth, and early mothering. Enriched with real birth stories from new mothers, The Essential Homebirth Guide offers thoughtful, compassionate advice on a wealth of birthing topics, including: • Building a supportive homebirth community • Caring for yourself and your baby from your pregnancy through the postpartum period • Communicating about your birthing plans with your midwife, your partner, and your family and friends • Deciding whether homebirth is safe for you • Educating yourself about common pregnancy-related issues • Preparing your home and your family for the big day

The term "homebirth cesarean" has only recently entered the birth world's lexicon. The phrase, which refers to a planned out-of-hospital birth that ends in the hospital operating room, now represents new understanding and healing pathways for mothers, families, and birth professionals. In capturing more than 250 voices from across the birth world-from mothers and partners, to midwives, OB/GYNs, birth visionaries and more-"Homebirth Cesarean" sets a new benchmark for conversations, tools, and shared healing. "Homebirth Cesarean" is designed to follow a mother's journey from pregnancy, through birth, beyond the postpartum year, and continues with the possibility and birth of another child. This book shows the raw power of birth trauma from home to operating room to back home again, and reveals hopeful resolution pieces for mothers, partners, and birth professionals. This book brings deeper understanding to these unrecognized births, celebrates those transformed by them, and provides childbirth professionals with tools and information they need to support families along their parenting journeys. "Homebirth Cesarean" is an ideal companion for birth professionals, educators, and therapists, in addition to mothers, partners, family members, or anyone affected by these births. Though Homebirth Cesarean International endorses this book, proceeds from its sales do not go directly to the nonprofit.