{"product_id":"the-perfect-birth-myth-avital-norman-nathman-9798216277262","title":"The Perfect Birth Myth: Pushing Back Against a Broken Industry","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eIn a nation where more than 3.5 million births occur each year, the experience of giving birth reveals who is valued, who is heard, and who is left behind. \u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Perfect Birth Myth\u003c\/i\u003e offers a sweeping, deeply human exploration of childbirth in the United States, the country with the most highly resourced and costliest maternal healthcare in the world, yet the highest rate of maternal mortality among developed countries. Drawing on decades of experience in maternal health, midwifery, and journalism, Avital Norman Nathman and Deborah Wage weave historical analysis, policy insight, personal narratives, and data from approximately 3,000 people who've given birth to examine the forces shaping American birth culture. From the pursuit of the \"perfect birth\" and the commercialization of care to the racial and psychological inequities embedded in the system, they reveal how medicalization, racism, and profit-driven policies have eroded autonomy, safety, and dignity in childbirth. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eBoth exposé and call to action, \u003ci\u003eThe Perfect Birth Myth\u003c\/i\u003e reframes birth as an act of justice, community, and self-determination. Readers will emerge with an understanding that instead of pushing for perfection, we should be pushing for equity, respect, and shared humanity.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Avital Norman Nathman,Deborah Wage\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9798216277262\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Bloomsbury Academic\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 09\/17\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 192\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 1.00lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 8.50h x 5.50w x 1.00d","brand":"Avital Norman Nathman","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":48443071922431,"sku":"9798216277262","price":19.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_692fac45-840a-451d-81ac-52d0965a6da8.jpg?v=1777201662","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/the-perfect-birth-myth-avital-norman-nathman-9798216277262","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}