Pregnancy and Birth
A Reference Handbook
Published on 26. June 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
344 pages
979-8-7651-6710-6 (ISBN)
Description
"A thoughtful look at issues confronting pregnant Americans." - Library Journal
Pregnancy and Birth: A Reference Handbook provides students with information on how pregnancy and giving are transformative events at individual, family, and societal levels.
This handbook is a person-centered reference book on pregnancy and childbirth in the USA. The medicalization of pregnancy and childbirth is a theme; however, primary emphasis is on the historical and contemporary significance of the Midwifery Model of Care and how that can improve outcomes for all.
The volume opens with a background and history of the topic, followed by a chapter on related problems, controversies, and solutions. A Perspectives chapter contains essays from a variety of individuals on topics such as surrogacy, doulas, and adoption. The remaining chapters provide students with profiles, data and documents, resources, a chronology, and a glossary. This book is accessible to high school and undergraduate researchers, as well as general-interest readers curious about the topic.
Pregnancy and Birth: A Reference Handbook provides students with information on how pregnancy and giving are transformative events at individual, family, and societal levels.
This handbook is a person-centered reference book on pregnancy and childbirth in the USA. The medicalization of pregnancy and childbirth is a theme; however, primary emphasis is on the historical and contemporary significance of the Midwifery Model of Care and how that can improve outcomes for all.
The volume opens with a background and history of the topic, followed by a chapter on related problems, controversies, and solutions. A Perspectives chapter contains essays from a variety of individuals on topics such as surrogacy, doulas, and adoption. The remaining chapters provide students with profiles, data and documents, resources, a chronology, and a glossary. This book is accessible to high school and undergraduate researchers, as well as general-interest readers curious about the topic.
Reviews / Votes
A thoughtful look at issues confronting pregnant Americans. * Library Journal * This is a source that will interest those involved in public health, women's health, and health policy. Academic and health-sciences libraries will want to add it to their collections. * Booklist *More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Target group
College/higher education
Primary & secondary/elementary & high school
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
Thickness: 19 mm
Weight
524 gr
ISBN-13
979-8-7651-6710-6 (9798765167106)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
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.
Barbara Katz Rothman, PhD, is professor of sociology at the City University of New York, USA.
Content
Preface
1. Background and History
Introduction
Part I: The Development of the Fetal Patient
Part II: Birthing Practices
Conclusion
References
2. Problems, Controversies, and Solutions
Introduction
Indigenous Peoples' Birth Outcomes
Historical Context
Indigenous Health Care
Social Factors Impacting Indigenous Health
Transgender Peoples' Birth Experiences
Respectful, Affirmative Care for LGBTQ People
Professionalization of Caring
Media Representations of Pregnancy and Birth
Perinatal Health Care System Cost
Every Baby Counts
Reproductive Justice
Conclusion
References
3. Perspectives
Perinatal Loss, Meagan Lyon Leimena
Adoption, Barbara Katz Rothman
Surrogacy, Renate Klein
Disability and Pregnancy, April B. Coughlin
Empathy, Pregnancy, and Mental Health, Jozette Belmont
Intimate Partner Violence during Pregnancy: Health Consequences and Social Causes, Jennifer Leigh
Certified Professional Midwives: Leveraging Policy to Improve Health, Mary Lawlor
Equity in Midwifery, Indra Wood Lusero
Labor and Postpartum Doula Support: How Doulas Help the Transitions of Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Postpartum Time and Why They Are Important, Kristy Zadrozny
Gender and Consumption, Alec Cali
4. Profiles
People, General
Apgar, 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, Mary
Loftman, Patricia O. (1949-)
Monroe, Shafia
Myers, Suzy (1949-)
Sanger, Margaret (1879-1966)
Sims, J. Marion (1813-1883)
Smith, Margaret Charles (1906-2004)
Stoney, George C. (1916-2012)
Social Scientists Studying Birth
Davis-Floyd, Robbie (1951-), Anthropologist
Jordan, Brigitte (1938-2016), Anthropologist
Raphael, Dana (1926-2016), Anthropologist
Roberts, Dorothy (1956-), Sociologist and Law Scholar
Roberts, Lynn, Public Health Scholar
Rothman, Barbara Katz (1948-), Sociologist
Stoller Shaw, Nancy (1942-), Sociologist
Organizations
American College of Nurse-Midwives
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
American Public Health Association
Black Mamas Matter Alliance
Black Women's Health Imperative
Elephant Circle
In Our Own Voice
La Leche League
March for Moms
March of Dimes
Midwives Alliance of North America
National Advocates for Pregnant Women
National Association of Certified Professional Midwives
National Association to Advance Black Birth
National Birth Equity Collaborative
National Black Midwives Alliance
Our Bodies Ourselves
Planned Parenthood
5. Data and Documents
Live Births Data
Births and Fertility Rate
First Birth Rate
Infant Mortality Rate
Figure 5.1 Infant Mortality Rate by Race and Ethnicity, 2016
Figure 5.2 Infant Mortality Rate by State, 2018
Maternal Mortality Rate by Race/Ethnicity
Figure 5.3 Maternal Mortality Rate by Race/Ethnicity, 2007-2016
Birth Rate by State/Region
Cesarean Rate
Source of Payment
Period of Gestation
Birthweight
Multiple Births
Abortion/Termination
Pregnancy Loss Data
Stillbirth
Miscarriage
Provider Data
Midwifery Workforce
Figure 5.4 Births Attended by Midwives, 2005-2018
Table 5.1 Births by Attendant, Place of Delivery, and Race/and Hispanic Origin of Mother: United States, 2018
Obstetrics-Gynecology Workforce
Figure 5.5 Estimated Change in Demand for Perinatal and Women's Health Services, 2020
Formative Research
Strong Start for Mothers and Newborns Initiative, 2012-2016
Table 5.2 Outcomes for Strong Start Participants Relative to Similar Medicaid Participants
The Giving Voice to Mothers Study and the Mothers on Respect Index
Figure 5.6 Mistreatment by Care Providers in Childbirth
Mapping Integration of Midwives across the United States
Figure 5.7 Mapping of Integration of Midwives in the United States
Evidence-Based Doula Care
Documents
The 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 Equity
National Association of Certified Professional Midwives
American College of Nurse-Midwives
6. Resources
Books
Articles
Reports
Internet Resources and Mixed Media
7. Chronology
Glossary
Index
1. Background and History
Introduction
Part I: The Development of the Fetal Patient
Part II: Birthing Practices
Conclusion
References
2. Problems, Controversies, and Solutions
Introduction
Indigenous Peoples' Birth Outcomes
Historical Context
Indigenous Health Care
Social Factors Impacting Indigenous Health
Transgender Peoples' Birth Experiences
Respectful, Affirmative Care for LGBTQ People
Professionalization of Caring
Media Representations of Pregnancy and Birth
Perinatal Health Care System Cost
Every Baby Counts
Reproductive Justice
Conclusion
References
3. Perspectives
Perinatal Loss, Meagan Lyon Leimena
Adoption, Barbara Katz Rothman
Surrogacy, Renate Klein
Disability and Pregnancy, April B. Coughlin
Empathy, Pregnancy, and Mental Health, Jozette Belmont
Intimate Partner Violence during Pregnancy: Health Consequences and Social Causes, Jennifer Leigh
Certified Professional Midwives: Leveraging Policy to Improve Health, Mary Lawlor
Equity in Midwifery, Indra Wood Lusero
Labor and Postpartum Doula Support: How Doulas Help the Transitions of Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Postpartum Time and Why They Are Important, Kristy Zadrozny
Gender and Consumption, Alec Cali
4. Profiles
People, General
Apgar, 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, Mary
Loftman, Patricia O. (1949-)
Monroe, Shafia
Myers, Suzy (1949-)
Sanger, Margaret (1879-1966)
Sims, J. Marion (1813-1883)
Smith, Margaret Charles (1906-2004)
Stoney, George C. (1916-2012)
Social Scientists Studying Birth
Davis-Floyd, Robbie (1951-), Anthropologist
Jordan, Brigitte (1938-2016), Anthropologist
Raphael, Dana (1926-2016), Anthropologist
Roberts, Dorothy (1956-), Sociologist and Law Scholar
Roberts, Lynn, Public Health Scholar
Rothman, Barbara Katz (1948-), Sociologist
Stoller Shaw, Nancy (1942-), Sociologist
Organizations
American College of Nurse-Midwives
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
American Public Health Association
Black Mamas Matter Alliance
Black Women's Health Imperative
Elephant Circle
In Our Own Voice
La Leche League
March for Moms
March of Dimes
Midwives Alliance of North America
National Advocates for Pregnant Women
National Association of Certified Professional Midwives
National Association to Advance Black Birth
National Birth Equity Collaborative
National Black Midwives Alliance
Our Bodies Ourselves
Planned Parenthood
5. Data and Documents
Live Births Data
Births and Fertility Rate
First Birth Rate
Infant Mortality Rate
Figure 5.1 Infant Mortality Rate by Race and Ethnicity, 2016
Figure 5.2 Infant Mortality Rate by State, 2018
Maternal Mortality Rate by Race/Ethnicity
Figure 5.3 Maternal Mortality Rate by Race/Ethnicity, 2007-2016
Birth Rate by State/Region
Cesarean Rate
Source of Payment
Period of Gestation
Birthweight
Multiple Births
Abortion/Termination
Pregnancy Loss Data
Stillbirth
Miscarriage
Provider Data
Midwifery Workforce
Figure 5.4 Births Attended by Midwives, 2005-2018
Table 5.1 Births by Attendant, Place of Delivery, and Race/and Hispanic Origin of Mother: United States, 2018
Obstetrics-Gynecology Workforce
Figure 5.5 Estimated Change in Demand for Perinatal and Women's Health Services, 2020
Formative Research
Strong Start for Mothers and Newborns Initiative, 2012-2016
Table 5.2 Outcomes for Strong Start Participants Relative to Similar Medicaid Participants
The Giving Voice to Mothers Study and the Mothers on Respect Index
Figure 5.6 Mistreatment by Care Providers in Childbirth
Mapping Integration of Midwives across the United States
Figure 5.7 Mapping of Integration of Midwives in the United States
Evidence-Based Doula Care
Documents
The 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 Equity
National Association of Certified Professional Midwives
American College of Nurse-Midwives
6. Resources
Books
Articles
Reports
Internet Resources and Mixed Media
7. Chronology
Glossary
Index