Its very interesting that America has one of the highest rates of mortality in childbirth in the world for a country that is so institutionalized. I recently watched a documentary called The Business of being Born. It goes into great details about how Americans more likely than not look down on midwives and people who choose to do at home births. All the other great aspiring countries such as Japan the UK, Germany, Australia and more almost 100 percent use midwives. In America the c section and induction rate is unbelievable. C sections were almost unheard of and absolutely only used for emergencies even back in the 90's. Now C sections have creeped up to 38 percent of all births and now are even optional?!Why? Because most American women opt to have a hospital birth. Doctors are not trained the same nor do they have the same experience as a midwife. Doctors and obgyn's are trained for the disasters and high risk situations- not a normal birth. That is why hospitals induce. They are institutionalized- they are on a clear schedule. Most C Sections in America take place between 4 pm and 10 pm which clearly shows that Doctors would rather give you a c section and leave the hospital on time than you getting your natural birth. You can't take 3 days to naturally labor in the hospital. They need you out of there asap. They need the beds filled and emptied. Once they start inducing with pitocin most women request an epidural because of the pain which then in turn slows down the contractions...then the pitocin is increased once more. BUT a lot of the time the baby goes into distress because of all the unnecessary interventions and a C section is required. Midwives on the other hand are trained to assist a mother for however long she needs while laboring, not to rush her, or induce but to take her time and support you in a homey setting. This is how most countries who have more successful births do it. l think America needs to rethink how we look at maternity care and the birth setting.