A Social History of Maternity and Childbirth - Softcover

McIntosh, Tania

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0415561639 ISBN 13: 9780415561631

Publisher: Routledge, 2012

Synopsis

People are fascinated by stories of childbirth, and the sources to document maternity in Britain in the twentieth century are rich and varied. This book puts the history of maternity in England into its wider social context, highlighting areas of change and continuity, and charting the development of pregnancy and birth as it emerged from the shadows and became central to social debate.

A Social History of Maternity and Childbirth considers the significance of the regulation and training of midwives and doctors, exploring important aspects of maternity care including efforts to tackle maternal deaths, the move of birth from home to hospital, and the rise of consumer groups. Using oral histories and women’s memoirs, as well as local health records and contemporary reports and papers, this book explores the experiences of women and families, and includes the voices of women, midwives and doctors. Key themes are discussed throughout, including:

• the work and status of the midwife
• the place of birth
• pain relief
• ante- and post- natal care
• women’s pressure groups
• high-tech versus low-tech
• political pressures.

At a time when the midwifery profession, and the wider structure of maternity care, is a matter for popular and political debate, this book is a timely contribution. It will be an invaluable read for all those interested in maternity care in England.

About this title

About the Author:

Tania McIntosh is Lecturer in Midwifery at the University of Nottingham, UK. Initially trained as an historian, Dr. McIntosh worked as a tutor in History at the University of Sheffield, until 2000 when she commenced midwifery training at the same university. Since then she has worked as a clinical midwife in Sheffield and at the City Hospital Nottingham. In 2009 she was one of the founders of De Partu, a national interdisciplinary research group for the history of midwifery and birth.

Review:

‘This social history of maternity care in the century following the 1902 Midwives Act, or as McIntosh says "stories of great men and angry women", is elegantly presented, accessible and very readable. The wealth of her research, collection of oral history and economy of expression make this book not only a "must have" for all students of healthcare, medicine and social studies but a lesson in researching and writing histories.’ – Julia Allison, author of Delivered at Home and former General Secretary of The Royal College of Midwives.

‘This excellent book is a very welcome addition to the literature. It fills a significant gap in our understanding of twentieth century maternity care, which is timely for current debates. The author, both a midwife and a historian, draws on her detailed documentary and oral history research to create a nuanced social history that is both scholarly and also highly readable. Never afraid to be controversial and challenge the accepted view, the author weaves together the personal and the public to provide new insights into the perspectives of mothers, midwives and doctors and how these influenced the complex changes that occurred over this period’ – Billie Hunter, RCM Chair of Midwifery at Cardiff University, UK.

About this edition

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 0415561639
• ISBN 13: 9780415561631
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 200