Preterm babies, fetal patients, and childbearing choices

Lantos, John D. (Author). Lauderdale, Diane S., 1955- (Added Author).

Summary: In this book, the authors examine why the rate of preterm birth in the United States remains high - even though more women have access to prenatal care now than three decades ago. They also analyze the puzzling paradox: why, even as the rate of preterm birth rose through the 1990s and the early 2000s, the rate of infant mortality has steadily decreased.

Record details

ISBN: 9780262029599 (hardcover)
Physical Description: print
x, 215 p. : ill. ; 21 cm.
Publisher: Cambridge, MA : MIT Press, 2015.

Content descriptions

Bibliography, etc. Note:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Formatted Contents Note:

Two narratives about pregnancy in the twentieth century -- Individual decisions : a 34 year-old pregnant woman at 36 weeks -- Stillbirth -- Late preterm birth -- Are there too many c-sections? -- Feminist critiques of obstetrics -- The debate about home birth -- Are c-sections good for women (and babies, too)? -- The fetus becomes a patient -- The pill (and delayed childbearing) -- Changing demography of childbearing -- Maternal age, multiple pregnancies, and preterm birth -- Maternal age and infertility -- Changing demographics and preterm birth rates -- Your fetus becomes a baby -- A defense of modern obstetrics -- Neonatal intensive care and infant mortality -- The evolution of prenatal care -- International comparisons -- The paradox of modern prenatal care -- Conclusions.