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Journal Vol. 13, No. 4 — What is normal birth? Time to stop confusing what is common with what is normal

ISSN 0256-5004 (Print)

What is normal birth? - Time to stop confusing what is common with what is normal

"Normal" Birth - Read the research and weep
New research shows that only a quarter of women in the UK truely have a normal birth. AIMS Research Officer Jean Robinson reports on the study's findings.

Getting a normal birth - Whose failure to progress
Janette McCabe wanted a normal birth. But her story reveals the idea that hospital is the 'best' place to give birth is still irrationally strong among both midwives and consultants. Beverley Beech provides commentary to put the story in context.

Naomi Wolf's "Misconceptions" - Is it relevant to the UK?
Misconceptions - Naomi Wolf's expose on US childbirth practices - was received with unusual positivity by the UK press. Why did it take a rich and beautiful - if somewhat confused - media personality writing about birth practices in a foreign country to get the message across in the UK? Anne Mccabe reports

Supporting women after birth - Experience of postnatal illness support in Cumbria
In many areas of the country women with Postnatal Illness are left to struggle alone, and manage as best they can, but in the North West, the charity Postnatal Illness Support (Cumbria) provides a unique support service.

Domestic violence in pregnancy
Midwife Sally Price shines a light on a surprisingly common, but little talked about phenomenon

Research:
Jean Robinson reviews

Book Reviews

Also in this issue:
"Who's on duty"; Blind Prejudice; National Normal Birth Symposium; The Rising Caesarean Rate 2002; Maternal Deaths; Successful home birth despite 'low' iron count

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