Historical Perspectives
on Childbearing
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“Granny” midwives
Emergence of medical management
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Significant discoveries
Role for woman in childbirth
Hospital births
Technologic advances
Consumer demands
Government involvement
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Federal funding
Inequitable distribution of health care
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Historical Perspectives
on Childbearing (Cont.)
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Effects of consumer demands
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Consumers involvement
New childbirth methods
Benefits of extended parent–newborn contact
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Historical Perspectives
on Childbearing (Cont.)
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Family-centered maternity care
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Physical and psychosocial needs of the family
Fosters the family unit
Principles of family-centered care
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Childbirth is usually a normal, healthy event
Childbirth affects the entire family
Families making decisions about care
Family and other support
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Current Settings for Childbirth
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Traditional hospital setting
Labor, delivery, recovery rooms (LDRs)
Labor, delivery, recovery, postpartum rooms
(LDRPs)
Birth centers
Home births
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Current Trends in Perinatal and
Women’s Health Care
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Cost containment
Diagnosis-related groups (DRGs)
Capitated care
Effects of cost containment
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Length of stay
Maternal and infant problems after discharge
Legislative mandates
Reduced teaching time
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