Born free

摘要: Unassisted childbirth—giving birth at home without a midwife or physician present—emerged as movement in mid-20 century North America. While only small number of women choose to give unassisted, its significance extends far beyond numbers. illuminates trends maternity care practices that drive, and sometimes force, unassisted birth. It also is part larger set connected values lifestyle choices, including schooling, breastfeeding, co-sleeping, ecological awareness, cloth diapering, sustainable living, alternative medicine. Finally, the emergence UC conscious choice requires re-examination how we understand, frame, interpret childbirth paradigms. There very little written about academic world, although media reports on practice have become increasingly prevalent since 2007. This dissertation begins conversation for scholarly inquiry into My research based primarily interviews, essay-response surveys, archives internet discussion groups. After setting historical context, I explain why make this choice; knowledge sources they privilege; understand concepts safety, risk, responsibility, their complex contradictory relationship with midwifery. examine midwifery, smaller degree, obstetrical, perspectives birth, focusing attendants who are sympathetic reconcile training experience attending births. has changed core questions need ask Instead hospital?, natural epidural?, obstetrician?, asked by existing models childbirth, poses different questions: Is disturbed