I'm writing this paper for my theory class. It's pretty eye opening. I mean, I've always known that reproductive rights were a huge feminist issue, and thought I had a pretty good grasp on the feminism of childbirth. My review of the literature is indicating that I had only pecked the surface of the feminist issues as they relate to childbirth.

It seems to start with semantics:

Alistair Hewison (1993) took on a study of language around childbirth. As midwifery moved out of style, and science moved in, such terminology changes occurred as “woman” to “parturient” and “unborn child” to “fetus”. This shift in terminology allowed predominantly male medical care providers to separate themselves from the human aspect of women, and to focus on their body systems. The term “obstetrician” was derived from the Latin phrase “to stand before”, which carries a significant amount of power. It is asserted that this new label gave obstetricians a hierarchical separation from their patients and put them on par with their medical colleagues.

Pregnancy itself became a “diagnosis”, implying pathology. According to the author, pregnancy and birth now carry an assumed danger, and can only be labeled “normal” retrospectively. The field of obstetrics introduced the term “risk” into pregnancy. As a result timetables were placed on both pregnancy and labor. Yet, this did not improve outcomes of pregnancies.

The author asserts that the use of language by the physician to the woman is also an attempt to manipulate her into certain choices. It is stated that “When everyday ‘lay’ language failed to exert the desired effect recourse was necessary to the authority of medical terminology to achieve the intended outcome.” (p. 229)

A step in the direction of regaining control of the birthing process for women is to challenge the current language surrounding birth. In some arenas this is being done, via the midwifery model, and specific childbirth education models. Ina May Gaskin (cited in Hewison, 1993) uses the word “spiritual” to describe childbirth. The pain management method of HypnoBirthing refers to “birthing surges”, and “breathing the baby down” rather than “contractions” and “delivery”.

I'll leave it there, and return in time with the info I found on prenatal care, childbirth education, relationships with the L&D nurse, and external fetal monitoring (a very compelling arguement is made regarding the use of EFM as a tool to knock women down a notch or two). What I can't believe I haven't found in droves is the birthing position common today (lithotomy), and the position of the OB for delivery, spotlights and all.

Of course, being home sick, I haven't been able to get up to campus to get my hands on all the good info there in the library, I've had to rely on what I could find online.

Yes, we can only laugh.

Actually, the P's each have been sick one day at a time (Piper with a stomach bug, Phoebe with a stomach bug, Piper with a good solid cough). Chloe's remained (knock on wood) healthy. It's me... I had the underlying stomach bug for days, and now that that is getting better, I'm home from school today (because I didn't think I could handle the commute, an hour and a half or more each direction with a stomach bug on public transportation) with a fever and sinus pain and a sore throat.

I remember doing this in college, actually. As soon as the semester ended, bang, I'd get bronchitis. However, my quarter isn't over yet.

Maybe I should try not showering for a week? If it doesn't strengthen my immune system, at least it will keep people away from me, and I won't be exposed to their germs...