HW 39 - Insights from Book - Part 2

My initial prediction to how Born In The USA by Marsden Wagner, would be structured to initially elaborate on the dominant social practice of conceiving a baby in a hospital vs. an organic birth process that occurs in the home with a midwife. Through the first 100 pages Marsden Wagner tackled the nightmarish acts of obstetricians, their selfish tendencies, convenience, unnecessary surgeries, medication and lastly lack of communication between the patients. After reading up to 200 page, the author looks to acknowledge the fact that a home birth that is under supervision of a mid-wife is much safer than if it were under a doctor. This type of birth process is less common because many women aren’t notified of their options, especially in our present American Society. Through these second 100 pages I was able to learn much more of what a midwife actually does, their procedures and alternative birth centers (ABC). The author makes sure to make distinct distinction between having your birth monitored and controlled by an obstetrician and one by a mid-wife. By referring back to a hospital birth as much as possible. On page 151 it states, " Meanwhile, woman are telling another story, as e-mail messages fly among mid-wives, women’s groups, and consumer groups exposing the ways the medical world is trying to limit a woman's legitimate choice of place of birth and birth attendant". The author try’s to convey to the reader that women have a choice, the right, to do what they want to have the most beautiful birth process that they believe is personally and physically most right.

Not knowing much about alternative birth centers, I took it upon myself to further my research on the topic. "A birthing center allows you to plan for your baby's birth and delivery environment - for example, who you want to be present, whether you wish to walk around during labor, what positions you prefer for giving birth, and even the small things that can sometimes be important at times of stress such as what you wear and eat can be at your discretion. Birthing centers usually welcome mothers who want to have natural child birth, and those who choose to breast feed and are experienced to help you if this is the kind of birth you desire" (http://www.parentprofiles.com/pregnancy-articles/birthing-centers-an-alternative-to-hospital-deliveries). An alternative birth center gives the women the opportunity to have full control of their birth. Implementing and furthering the fact that giving birth to another human is a beautiful process. Offering women a much more comfortable environment than that of the hospital, who you wish to be present and overall just a strong bond of communication between the midwife and the patient.