1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9910300597903321

Autore

Newnham Elizabeth

Titolo

Towards the Humanisation of Birth : A study of epidural analgesia and hospital birth culture / / by Elizabeth Newnham, Lois McKellar, Jan Pincombe

Pubbl/distr/stampa

Cham : , : Springer International Publishing : , : Imprint : Palgrave Macmillan, , 2018

ISBN

9783319699622

3319699628

Edizione

[1st ed. 2018.]

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (266 pages) : illustrations

Classificazione

61.68

Disciplina

306.461

Soggetti

Social medicine

Medical anthropology

Gynecology

Ethnology

Feminism

Feminist theory

Medical Sociology

Medical Anthropology

Ethnography

Feminism and Feminist Theory

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Nota di bibliografia

Includes bibliographical references at the end of each chapters and index.

Nota di contenuto

1. Introduction -- 2. The Epidural in Context -- 3. The Politics of Birth -- 4. Institutional Culture: Discipline and Resistance -- 5. A Dialectic of Risk -- 6. A Circle of Trust -- 7. Closing the Circle.

Sommario/riassunto

This book examines the future of birthing practices, particularly by focusing on epidural analgesia in childbirth. It describes historical and cultural trajectories that have shaped the way in which birth is understood in Western, developed nations. In setting out the nature of epidural history, knowledge and practice, the book delves into related birth practices within the hospital setting. By critically examining these practices, which are embedded in a scientific discourse that rationalises



and relies upon technology use, the authors argue that epidural analgesia has been positioned as a safe technology in contemporary maternity culture, despite it carrying particular risks. In examining alternative research the book proposes that increasing epidural rates are not only due to greater pain relief requirements or access but are influenced by technocratic values and a fragmented maternity system. The authors outline the way in which this epidural discourse influences how information is presented to women and how this affects their choices around the use of pain relief in labour.