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Pursuing the Birth Machine

The search for appropriate birth technology

Marsden Wagner

The story of how birth has become medicalised is well known to most of us working in the field of maternity care. The attempts to reverse this trend are less well-known however, and this book sets out the mechanisms used by the World Health Organisation to establish the appropriate levels of care for pregnancy, birth and the post-partum period. The research they used as the basis for their deliberations is included and the process of the consensus meetings that were convened with a galaxy of world experts is deftly explained.

As the convenor of these landmark meetings, Marsden Wagner gives us the details in his own inimitable style, turning a 400 page, heavily referenced book into an "almost thriller", that is hard to put down once started. His accessible style of writing uncovers the detail with clarity and charm, and there is no doubt of his sincere support of midwives and midwifery as the cornerstone of maternity care.

There are ideas here for taking political action, and as much ammunition as you need to fight the inevitable battles with caregivers who espouse outdated ideas. The references alone are invaluable, and the index makes finding your area of interest easy. You need this book, not only to inform yourself about the WHO and its policies, but to raise your morale and arm yourself with useful strategies and information.

If only all caregivers could approach their clients maternity clients with the kinds of insights that Marsden possesses!

Please allow up to 14 days for delivery

BK200:  Pursuing the Birth Machine Author: Marsden Wagner Length: 392 pages Published: Australia Australian Dollars  $25.00 UK Pounds  £10.50 Approx. US Dollars [info]  $23.04