TWO retrospectively matched groups of loM*-risk women were studied, one that chose to give birth in an out-ofhospital birth center stafled and run by nursemidhives, and another that labored and delivered in a tertiar?, care teaching hospital. The groups were mafched.for IOW risk status at 37 weeks. Although outcomes for both groups uere similar, the use of almost all interventions during labor and delivery H'QS signijicantly more frequent in the hospital group. These findings are consistent with studies of other settings in which the place of birth was s h m v to have an impact onchildbirth experience, thus demonstrating that birth centers can oversee childbirth as safely and rrvith less intervention than do hospitals. Larger comparative studies are needed to explore the impact and safety of hospital and orit-of-hospital birth settings. (BIRTH 14:1, March

We make meaning of illness, suffering, and death through narrative, by telling a story. In this article, the authors explore narrative and palliative care: how, at the end of life, narratives of patients, caregivers, and clinicians serve to connect to those still living, and how through each telling and listening, we honor and validate the experience of suffering. A discussion of narrative competence and the skills of attention, representation, and affiliation is followed by an outline of the format for a narrative medicine workshop and a detailed analysis of an experiential exercise in close reading and reflective writing.

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Audiologists are the only nonsurgical professionals always represented on the cochlear implant team. In order to best prepare audiologists for this role, graduate audiology programs need to address more extensively the Deaf culture and perspective, as well as genetics of hearing loss. Increased attention to educational audiology and evidence-based research regarding best age to implant and bilateral implantation needs to be included in the discussion with parents. Audiologists play a crucial role in informing parents and coordinating care, and should therefore carefully consider their role in the informed consent process.