* 80% of the babies born in the world today are delivered by midwives.

* The World Health Organization recognizes midwives as the appropriate maternity care providers for most of the world's women.

* 14 other countries have lower maternal mortality than the United States. The U.S. rate is more than twice Canada's (9 per 100,000 compared with 3.2).

* The U.S. ranks 22nd in the world in infant mortality, losing twice as many babies during the first year of life as Japan (10 compared with 4.4).

* One out of every 4 American women gives birth by cesarean. This is twice the rate the World Health Organization says is justifiable.

* Midwives deliver over 70% of the babies born in western European countries that have lower infant and maternal mortality, lower cesarean birth rates and lower health care costs.

* The United States spends more money on health care than any industrialized country in the world.

* Today, only 5% of U.S. babies are delivered by midwives.

(The above data is from the World Health Organization)