Chapter 1: 21st-Century Maternity Nursing

21st-Century Maternity Nursing emphasizes the vital role nurses play in health advocacy and policy development to address systemic inequities, particularly the significant racial and ethnic disparities that contribute to rising maternal mortality rates among Black women in the United States,. The text explores major public health frameworks, including the science-based objectives of Healthy People 2030 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which target the social determinants of health to improve global well-being,. A critical analysis of the US health care delivery system highlights issues of fragmentation, high costs, and barriers to access, while discussing solutions such as the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs), and the necessity of improving health literacy among diverse populations,. Patient safety is prioritized through a detailed examination of medical errors, the Joint Commission’s safety standards (including the "Do Not Use" list of abbreviations), and the prevention of sentinel events and failure to rescue situations,. The chapter outlines essential biostatistical data, analyzing fertility rates, low birth weight (LBW) trends, and the disparities in infant and maternal mortality,. It also details the regionalization of perinatal services, ranging from basic to subspecialty care, and stresses the importance of interprofessional education (IPE) and collaboration among obstetricians, midwives, and nurses to improve patient outcomes,. Furthermore, the discussion covers contemporary trends such as the integration of complementary and alternative therapies, the ethical implications of telehealth and social media use, and the shift toward family-centered birthing practices that utilize doulas and various types of midwives,. Global health concerns are addressed, including female genital mutilation, human trafficking, and the impact of infectious diseases like Zika and COVID-19,. Finally, the chapter underscores the necessity of Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) through resources like the Cochrane Library, adheres to legal standards defined by organizations like AWHONN, and navigates complex ethical dilemmas surrounding reproductive technologies and resource allocation,.