The Birth Of The Future

Childbirth is political. Anyone who has been to a birth class knows that. As they learn about the physical process that awaits them, pregnant women are encouraged to be strong, to feel the pain but rise above it, to resist intervention as long as possible. They and their supporters are told to make the birth joyous, an empowering celebration of life, and if a doctor offers pain relief, not to listen - not to weaken or fail. Doctors, on the other hand, see birth as potentially fraught with danger, ...