LCSH currently has headings for “Childbirth,” “Childbirth at home” and “Birthing centers,” but no headings for “Hospital childbirth” (the most common type in the United States).
Additionally, LCSH has headings for “Cesarean section,” “Underwater childbirth,” “Vaginal birth after cesarean,” but no heading for “Vaginal childbirth” (also the most common method of giving birth). This lack means that the heading “Childbirth” would likely be used for “Vaginal childbirth,” which assumes that as “normal,” as opposed to other forms of delivery.
The lack of subjects for hospital childbirth and vaginal childbirth is also an issue of discovery. It makes it difficult to find records on these topics.
Additional considerations: The term “Natural childbirth” is becoming less popular and might consider revision to something like “Unmedicated childbirth.” However, there does not appear to be a consensus on what “Natural childbirth” means: sometimes it refers to simply not using an epidural. Other times, it means birth at home or without a physician present. The scope note could be revised to remove “after education and preparation,” as that implies other forms of childbirth are done without education and preparation.
These are the drafts for “Hospital childbirth” and “Vaginal childbirth”:
150:
Hospital childbirth
450 (UF):
Childbirth at a hospital
Hospital birth
550 (BT):
Delivery (Obstetrics)
670
$a Gabriel, Cynthia. Natural hospital birth, 2011. $w (OCoLC)633139226
670 (Source data found):
Encyclopedia of Women in Today’s World (Vol. 1. ), 2011 $b p. 264 (The transition from home birth to hospital birth took place in the early 20th century for most of the developed world’s middle class (low-income communities take longer to make this transition because of poverty, racism, and lack of access to hospitals.)
670
$a Oxford English Dictionary, viewed 2025 $b (hospital birth, n., 1758-) $u https://www.oed.com/dictionary/hospital-birth_n?tab=factsheet&tl=true#128787258100
675 (Source data not found):
952 LC pattern: Childbirth, Childbirth at home
150:
Vaginal childbirth
450 (UF):
Vaginal birth
Vaginal delivery
550 (BT):
Delivery (Obstetrics)
550 (RT)
Vaginal birth after cesarean
670 (Source data found):
Oxford English dictionary, viewed 2025 $b vaginal (Performed or occurring by way of the vagina, as vaginal birth, vaginal delivery, vaginal hysterectomy, etc.
$a Desai, Ninad M.; Tsukerman, Alexander. Vaginal Delivery, 2023 $b (Vaginal delivery is the preferred method for childbirth; however, there are certain conditions when vaginal delivery is contraindicated.)
$a Encyclopedia of Women in Today’s World (Vol. 1. ), 2011 $b p. 264 (Worldwide, the average uncomplicated vaginal birth costs less in a home than in a hospital.)
675 (Source data not found):
952 LC pattern: Childbirth, Vaginal birth after cesarean