The Ninth Month
A journey through pregnancy and childbirth, across cultures and continents.
Doctors in Ethiopia are looking past their religious beliefs on abortions to save lives
While contrary to Ethiopia’s conservative religious ideals, a new law there makes access to abortions easier and has been one way the government has tried to save women’s lives. Before the law, a third of all maternal deaths in the country were from botched abortions.
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In Brazil, half of all mothers have C-sections — whether they want it or not
Many women in Brazil want to deliver their babies by Cesarean section — for them, it is convenient, modern and clean. But others say they are forced into delivering their babies through surgery, in a country with one of the highest c-section rates in the world.
Birth Stories Without Borders
We want to tell stories of people around the world giving birth. Take a minute and tell us what it was like when you gave birth — or when your child was born. Or call up your mom and ask her what it was like when you were born. And explore the stories we’ve received already.We want to tell stories of people around the world giving birth. Take a minute and tell us what it was like when you gave birth — or when your child was born. Or call up your mom and ask her what it was like when you were born. And explore the stories we’ve received already.
More mothers are choosing ‘home’ when deciding where they want to give birth
Births started in homes, moved to hospitals and are now moving back to homes, at least in the developed world. More parents are choosing places that aren’t hospitals for giving birth — and that presents new risks and complications.Births started in homes, moved to hospitals and are now moving back to homes, at least in the developed world. More parents are choosing places that aren’t hospitals for giving birth — and that presents new risks and complications.
Why are Cesarean sections so common when most agree they shouldn’t be?
Last year, Kate Mitchell became one of the 32 percent of US mothers who give birth via Cesarean section. Yet her intention was to avoid a C-section. Guidelines released in February outline steps to avoid unnecessary Cesarean sections, steps that hospitals and practitioners agree with. So why do Cesarean rates remain at all-time highs?Last year, Kate Mitchell became one of the 32 percent of US mothers who give birth via Cesarean section. Yet her intention was to avoid a C-section. Guidelines released in February outline steps to avoid unnecessary Cesarean sections, steps that hospitals and practitioners agree with. So why do Cesarean rates remain at all-time highs?
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