Science and Babies

By all indicators, the reproductive health of Americans has been deteriorating since 1980. Our nation is troubled by rates of teen pregnancies and newborn deaths that are worse than almost all others in the Western world.Science and Babies is a straightforward presentation of the major reproductive issues we face that suggests answers for the public.The book discusses how the clash of opinions on sex and family planning prevents us from making a national commitment to reproductive health; why people in the United States have fewer contraceptive choices than those in many other countries; what we need to do to improve social and medical services for teens and people living in poverty; how couples should "shop" for a fertility service and make consumer-wise decisions; and what we can expect in the future—featuring interesting accounts of potential scientific advances.Table of ContentsFront MatterContents1. Reproductive Health Issues2. Infertility3. Contraception: Having a Healthy Baby at the Right Time4. The Dilemma of Teenage Parenthood5. Prenatal Care: Having Healthy Babies6. Progress in Research7. New Technologies: The Ethical and Social Issues8. Areas for Policy DevelomentAcknowledgementsIndex