PREGNANCY

Gay offers a well-informed overview of yet another set of challenging issues in this entry in the Women Then, Women Now series. When we debate fetal personhood and confront myriad technological choices, the atmosphere is highly charged. A recurring theme is the question of coercion: Should women in childbirth be forced into an uncomfortable position? Is it patronizing to forbid them to work in toxic environments if they know the risks? Can fetal therapy be imposed for the good of the child? There's so much content here (global population growth; fetal tissue transplants; etc.) that some crucial issues (e.g., limiting teenage pregnancies; fathers' roles) are given short shrift. Also, Gay leaps from dilemma to dilemma. But why quibble? Lively, effective quotes; notes; bibliography; glossary; index. (Nonfiction. 12+)