Excerpta from the Preface by Antonio Barbera, the pioneer of ultrasound imaging in labour and delivery who initiated filling the gap between classic obstetric knowledge and new technologies. Childbirth is one of the most extraordinary and complex processes in human biology, a singular event that simultaneously reflects our evolutionary history, technological ingenuity, and cultural beliefs. Yet, as we move through the 21st century, obstetric car finds itself in a paradoxical moment: while medicine has made immense strides, the foundational assessment of labour and delivery still hinges on the hands, eyes, and instincts of skilled midwives and doctors, and cardiotocography, a single diagnostic tool developed decades ago, underscoring a striking stagnation in innovation where it matters most. This volume challenges the “ostrich” approach to risk - the dangerous misunderstanding that knowing less equates to doing better - and argues for a future where informed, respectful, and evidence-based care is the global standard. The authors explore the convergence of evolution, technology, culture, and clinical science, recognizing that being informed does not mean being interventionist, and that appropriate non-invasive technology can indeed support physiological birth. This book is both a critique and a call to action. It explores how appropriate technology - from the high-tech potential of generative artificial intelligence to portable, life-saving innovations for resource-poor settings - can support, rather than sabotage, the physiological marvel of birth. It is about letting go of the false dichotomy between doing too much and knowing too little, ensuring that every birth, wherever it occurs, is guided not just by hands and instincts, but by insight.
