Anyone working to improve the childbearing experience and help women avoid unnecessary intervention has encountered numerous "obstetric myths" or "old doctors' tales". And while the evidence in the medical literature may be solidly, often unequivocably, against whatever "the doctor said", without access to that evidence, the pregnant women is quite reasonably going to follow her doctor. This book is an attempt to make the medical literature on a variety of key obstetric issues accessible to people who lack the time, expertise, access or proximity to a medical library to research concerns on their own. After an introductory chapter giving basic information about the different types of medical studies, how to evaluate them, and some basic statistical concepts, Goer provides chapters on cesarean issues, pregnancy and labour management, and a review of alternative approaches. Each chapter begins with a stated myth, followed by an examination of the reality. Goer then analyses the mainstream belief, pointing out its fallacies. Then comes a list of significant points gleaned from the studies and keyed to her abstracts. Next is the outline by which the abstracts are grouped. Finally come the numbered abstracts of relevant articles published, in most cases, after 1980. The book concludes with a glossary of medical terms and an index. This compact, accurate and understandable reference tool is designed for people without medical training as well as care givers.