Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

The Medicalization Of Childbirth Within The United States, Alexandria Gesing

Honors Theses

The World Bank rates the United States last amongst developed countries for maternal mortality, with 14 deaths per 100,000 live births compared to Canada and the Netherlands with 7 deaths per 100,000 live births, and the UK with 9 per 100,000 live births. This paper argues that these deaths are strongly linked to excessive use of Cesarean sections, resulting from increased access to technology, and explores the attendant medicalization of childbirth in the United States. Drawing on interviews with patients, midwives, and physicians, in addition to participant observation of hospitals and private practices within the Tristate area; I compare the …

Needs And Expectations: A Membership Survey Of The Midwifery Association In Afghanistan, Sabera Turkmani, Cristina De Nicolás, Fatima Gohar, Pashtoon Azfar Zyaee

Journal of Asian Midwives (JAM)

A survey of the Afghan Midwives Association (AMA) members was conducted in April 2013 to determine the profile of the midwifery workforce, and to provide guidance on the professional needs and expectations of midwives in the future. Of the estimated 3,000 members across the country, around 500 participated in the Annual Congress, 400 questionnaires were distributed randomly among participants, and 357 were returned (89% response rate representing 12% of the overall membership).

The results showed that most members are pleased with the Association, and value its work, particularly its ability to advocate on their behalf with the Ministry of Public …

Birthing Centres In Nepal: Recent Developments, Obstacles And Opportunities, Preeti K. Mahato, Edwin Van Teijlingen, Padam Simkhada, Catherine Angell

Journal of Asian Midwives (JAM)

Background: Establishing and promoting birthing centers (BCs) can be one strategy to increase access to emergency obstetric care and skilled attendants at birth, to avert many maternal deaths. BCs are a component of local health service delivery, whereby midwives (or health care professionals with midwifery competencies) provide maternity services to generally healthy women with uncomplicated pregnancies, mostly in the community setting.
Methods: A literature review was carried out involving searches and appraisals of relevant literature on birthing centers in Nepal, South Asia, and other similar settings.
Findings//Conclusion: In Nepal, midwife-led care in BCs was found to be …

Birth Centers And Underserved Populations, Michelle M. Dabrowski

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: Disadvantaged women in the United States experience disparities in prenatal and birth related health outcomes. Purpose: The purpose of this literature review is to answer the question, “Can freestanding birth centers (FBC) improve outcomes for disadvantaged populations?” Results: FBCs do improve outcomes for disadvantaged populations in mode of delivery, low birth weight, prematurity, breastfeeding continuance, enhanced social support, and decreased familial stress, without additional risk for adverse outcomes. FBCs showed a demonstrable financial benefit through decreased facility fees, delivery charges, and fewer costs associated with the adverse health outcomes of cesarean sections, low birth weight, and premature infants. Conclusion: …