Maternal healthcare and doulas in China : feminist health communication approach to understanding doulas in China

This brief explores the resurgence of the role of doulas in the child birthing process in Chinese clinical settings, as a lens to understand comparative pre- and post-natal care worldwide. The demand for doulas in China is increasing, and the rise in the use of doulas is thought to be due to increasing dissatisfaction with current institutional maternity health care. Attention is focused on Chinese women’s relationships with their bodies and on women’s experiences of choice, agency, and access to health and reproductive services as well as maternal health care information and support. Chapters present an overview of the current experience of pre- and post- natal care in China. In addition, chapters explore interview data on how Chinese doulas construct multiple identities, in terms of serving as lactation consultants, child care providers, and child care educators for women during pregnancy and childbirth. Maternal Healthcare and Doulas in China will be of interest to researchers in public health and health policy, particularly with an interest in maternal health or Asian studies, as well as, health practitioners, and clinicians who are interested in issues related to women, maternity, health care, childbirth, and feminist research in China. Preface Acknowledgments Contents Chapter 1: Introduction Doulas and Doula Care History of Chinese Midwifery and Move to Modern Medicine in Twentieth-Century China Brief Introduction of Chinese Marketization Hospital Context of Doula in China Explanation of Method and Data: Interviewing Health Communication, Positionality, and Reflexivity Significance of the Study Overview of the Book References Chapter 2: Motivations for Chinese Women to Become Professional Doulas Unhappy Labor Experiences Filling the Gap: I am with Her References Chapter 3: Sisterhood: Sisters and Friends Sisterhood Is Strong and Powerful: Sisters, Friends, and Love What Have We Missed—Sister, Family or Emotional Labour? References Chapter 4: Medical Procedures and Discourses Around Women’s Bodies Medical Procedures: Natural Birth Love What I Doula For: Doula’s Belief Contradictions References Chapter 5: Disagreement and Conflicts: Who Is in Charge of the Delivery Room? Who Is in Charge?: Disagreement and Relational Conflicts Shall We Talk?: A Communication Approach References Chapter 6: Looking Forward Continuing Development in Chinese Doula Care Work Future Development of Doula Care in China References Chapter 7: Concluding Thoughts and a New Beginning Family Stories: 30 Years Ago, and After A New Beginning References Index