Bookverdict.com

Medical journalist Epstein (Columbia Univ.) presents a concise and entertaining summary of changes in conception, gestation, and birth from ancient times through the 20th century. Most of the focus is on the period beginning around 1900 to the present. As she investigates how myths, fads, superstitions, fraud, emotion, and science have intertwined through the ages, she posits that much of the history of childbirth in the last 100 years involves the swings between the embrace of and the distancing from science and technology. Among the questions Epstein tackles are: Is infertility psychological, or is a pill the answer? Is the best choice natural childbirth or a quick and painlessly anesthetized one? Or maybe a quick and not-so-painless C-section? Added to the debate today are the possibilities of predesigned babies, sperm banks, and frozen embryos. Verdict Epstein presents the history and the current controversies of child birth clearly and with a liberal use of humor. As a result, both general and professional readers will enjoy the book.-Dick Maxwell, Porter Adventist Hosp. Medical Lib., Denver Copyright 2009 Media Source Inc. Copyright 2009 Media Source Inc. ...Log In or Sign Up to Read More