There are good reasons why the fertility rate in France has not dropped below two children per woman. During the past forty years, medical progress has made great strides in the areas of birth and maternity care, through a multitude of major and minor actions — and often with Emile Papiernik's participation.

In this book, Papiernik shares his medical expertise and explains to a wide readership the development of some invaluable advances: safety criteria during delivery, precautions to be taken to avoid premature births, the necessity of instituting maternity leave.

By detailing the major medical issues at stake at birth, Papiernik is able to examine what remains to be done to improve the quality of health care, treat therapeutic accidents, create safety networks, improve preventive care, and respect each patient as a person.

This book aims to convince us that providing good quality medical care for everyone is an on-going struggle, that advances that seem possible can become real, and that it is up to individuals as well as government authorities to stay attuned to new ideas.

Based on his experience as a gynaecologist and obstetrician, Emile Papiernik examines the stakes of tomorrow's medicine.

The author links women's personal experiences of childbirth with the broader historical picture of medical progress. In doing this, he gives the general reader a greater understanding of public health decisions, such as to make maternities part of a larger network.

A generous reflection on medical values, illustrated with numerous examples.

Emile Papiernik is the head of gynaecology and obstetrics at Port Royal Maternity Hospital, in Paris, and a leading specialist in premature births.

Emile Papiernik is the head of gynaecology and obstetrics at Port Royal Maternity Hospital, in Paris, and a leading specialist in premature births.