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A History of Childbirth

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Childbirth isn’t anything new, of course. It’s been around for as long as we have. What has changed is our response to it.

Medical procedures are constantly adapting and attitudes are always in flux. From midwives and home births to male doctors and hospitals, from no drugs to drugs, to our modern-day smorgasbord of birthing options, there’s always some new thing.

But how far have we really come, and what have we learned? Doctor and journalist Randi Hutter Epstein has written the book on it.

This hour, On Point: Childbirth through the ages.

Guest:

Randi Hutter Epstein joins us from New York.  A medical journalist and trained doctor, she's written for The New York Times, The Washington Post, and other publications. Her new book is "Get Me Out: A History of Childbirth from the Garden of Eden to the Sperm Bank."

Read an excerpt from "Get Me Out" at NPR.org.

This program aired on February 19, 2010.

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