Sociologic aspects of pregnancy.
Increasingly, social factors are recognized as having a major impact on pregnancy, childbearing, and prenatal care. This review examines some of the more recent societal developments that have influenced health care for pregnant women. Although human gestation is a biologic phenomena, it exists with the social context of personal needs, family, and community of the pregnant women. This social fabric determines the perception, management, and outcome of that gestation. Significant influences to examine include pregnant women in the work force; malpractice concerns of health care providers; issues related to the cost of health care in pregnancy; the legal rights of the pregnant woman versus the legal rights of the fetus; pregnancy and occupational health; and the role of stress in pregnancy outcome.
Harris
J L
JL
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, King/Drew Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90059.
Davidson
E C
EC
D002321:Career Choice; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008318:Malpractice; D009774:Obstetrics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000191:economics; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D012961:Sociology; D014481:United States; D014931:Women, Working