Maternity Ward: Behind the Scenes at a Big City Hospital

this was a good book, but I really wanted to hear the storys about the women and their babies and it had a lot of her own personal life story in it. Alot of profanity too. Pretty good book overall.

Susan Stanley's Maternity Ward is certainly a labor of love for Ms. Stanley. She was able to become intimately familiar with many patients, doctors and interns throughout her study of the hospital (Pill Hill). My own experiences with births that were less than perfect led me to read her book, perhaps looking for a similar story, a common thread. This book hits home hard. There are no real pretty pictures in these stories. There are women who face many obstacles, be it poverty, genetic problems, obesity, drug problems, that all come to Pill Hill to have their babies. Some are there because this is their only option, others are there because they need to be. None really are there because they want to be. Not only is this an expose on the frantic emotional pace of a maternity ward, but a commentary of our social and economic status. Certainly those who are pregnant currently, I would suggest waiting until after you have delivered to read this book. It would only serve to stress and distress you. A great concentration on poverty and drug abuse is assessed in Maternity Ward. It is a gritty, true life look into a place we have all been (most of us, anyway!), either to deliver, be delivered or to watch a loved one deliver. The stories behind the women are honest, deep and moving. If you like a serious read, and have the stomach for bitter reality, pick this one up. You will not be disappointed