Birth as an American Rite of Passage
Birth as an American Rite of Passage Books
Product Description
Why do so many American women allow themselves to become enmeshed in the standardized routines of technocratic childbirth–routines that can be insensitive, unnecessary, and even unhealthy? Anthropologist Robbie Davis-Floyd first addressed these questions in the 1992 edition. Her new preface to this 2003 edition of a book that has been read, much-admired, and loved by women all over the world, makes it clear that the issues surrounding childbirth remain as controversial as ever.
Buy Cheap Birth as an American Rite of Passage Online
Incoming search terms for the article:
before we are born essentials of embryology and birth defects 8th edition free downloadRelated posts:
This book offers really fantastic insight into what happens when technology and pregnancy meet in American culture as well as to the responses to the American technocratic approach to childbirth. I really liked that she included doctor’s perspectives, giving the reader a look at both sides of the coin. She explored not only women who felt victimized by their experiences in hospitals, but also women who felt empowered by the same experiences. To her shock, she found that more women really feel safer and more comfortable with a highly technocratic birth and she examines why this might be.
The book was very insightful but I found some slow chapters in the middle of the book that seemed to result from saying the same things over and over. I also constantly found myself amazed at some of the experiences of women in hospitals and asking myself if this in rank is still relevant today considering this book was written in 1992 and a lot of her research was dated in the late 80s. Never the less, it is a fantastic recent history of childbirth in American hospitals. The attitudes of the doctors and women interviewed for this work surely continue to reflect, in many ways, the attitudes still held today considering it wasn’t THAT long ago.
I urge this book to women who plot to have their baby in a sickbay because I reckon that it will serve to inform and as a result empower. If you seek to stay in control of your body and the birth of your child, this book would offer much insight. For women who do not want to have their children in the sickbay, well, this book will only authenticate why you feel that way.
Rating: 4 / 5
this is a very vital book. it may be a small heavy on the (anthropological) jargon for some people but it is worth it. it’s an eye-opening study of the medicalization of birth in our culture and it’s really fascinating, upsetting, and informative. she includes many interviews with women who have birthed in hospitals and obstetricians describing their socialization/training/beliefs. i do judge that any woman giving birth owes it to herself to explore this come forth. it is really statistically less safe for low-risk women to deliver in a sickbay than at home with a competent midwife (in terms of maternal & fetal infections and deaths). whether you already know that you want an epidural or if you are hoping for a natural birth, you should become aware of the practices that are usual in hospitals so that you can make informed decisions about what is aptly for you and your baby. it is possible (though very challenging) to have a “natural” birth in a sickbay but it is a constant uphill battle to avoid the numerous perilous interventions the medically-oriented practitioners try to push on women without evidence that they help (indeed, with research that shows that they hinder the progress of labor or make recovery more trying for the woman).
Rating: 5 / 5
This was a paradigm blowing must read for any woman. A fluid read and with intense narratives. The most educational book I’ve read in a long time.
Rating: 5 / 5
If you are a woman looking for a thoughtful review of our modern birthing culture this is a wonderful book. I have read a lot about birth options, perspectives of the birth experience, and midwifery history and philosophy but went away wanting for more. My desire to really explore an informed text about our birthing culture was finally satiated by this book. I am not an anthropologist by training and yet found the book accessible, educational, and challenging. I really suggest this book be read by everyone interested in the birth experience, partners, attendants, birthing woman, or children of technocracy.
Rating: 5 / 5
If you really want to know what to guess when you’re expecting, read this book and Henci Goer’s Thought Woman’s Guide to a Better Birth. If you’d really like to remove yourself from the technobirth machine, read Ina May Gaskin’s Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth and Spiritual Midwifery. If you’ve everlastingly plotting you might want a natural birth, read Peggy O’Mara’s Having a Baby, Naturally. And remember this one thing: If you really (really) want a natural, unmedicated birth, don’t give birth in a sickbay.
Rating: 5 / 5