The Student Midwife Summer Issue, Volume One | Page 4
Childbirth is an intimate and
complex transaction whose topic is
physiological and whose language is
cultural ... it is a phenomena
produced jointly and reflexively by
(universal) biology and (particular)
society. Brigette Jordan, “Birth in Four
Cultures”
Birth is both a biological and cultural
event; the two overlap and affect one
another in the way we feel and how we
approach the birthing process.
Childbirth has varied throughout
history, and the construction of birth
familiar in North American society is
radically different than the childbirth
practices of our ancestors. In the US,
dominant birthing culture is theorized and
practiced in a medicalized and technocratic
way. Meaning we approach birth with
medical technology and methods, like
medicine and monitors. These methods are
assumed to be the best way, the cutting edge,
but it goes beyond that, these methods are a
cultural expression. It expresses a fear of
pain, a lack of confidence in female biology
and evolutionary capabilities in birth. It has
become a power struggle between women
and doctors. The U.S. has a relatively low
4
infant mortality rate but a shockingly high rate
of cesarean sections. A curious fact,
considering we have some of the healthiest
populations.
In
order
to
discuss
womancentered best practices and how
current practice may or ma 䁹