Renowned American midwife Gaskin--the only midwife for whom an obstetric maneuver has been named--has practiced at Summertown, Tennessee's internationally lauded Farm Midwifery Center for some four decades, and is the author of three other books on childbirth and mothering. Drawing on her own work, her knowledge about how different cultures around the world approach childbirth, and other research findings, she offers a practical and reliable discussion of pregnancy and the significance and purpose of childbirth. Noting the high risks and alienation of the medicalized maternity care that dominates in the US, Gaskin calls for greater involvement of women in the formulation of maternity care policy that respects natural birth, and in the accurate education of young women and men about birth. Includes a foreword by Ani DiFranco. Annotation 2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
