The Medicalisation of Women’s Bodies

Feeley, Claire

This article provides a brief overview of the historical, sociocultural issues regarding the of women’s childbearing bodies. Exploring both sides of the feminist debate, a humanised approach to childbearing is presented as a way forward to achieving meaningful woman-centred care. Rather than either ‘normal’ or ‘medical’ birth, maternity care needs to shift towards a ‘both/and’ attitude, where physiological childbirth can be supported, women’s experiences are pivotal to the care provided, while making the best use of medical care, as required. To achieve this, the implementation of the Better births (NHS England 2016) agenda is essential.

The Practising midwife, 2019, Vol 22, Issue 5

1461-3123

10.55975/xeec3980