Socio-Cultural Insights of Childbirth in South Asia : Stories of Women in the Himalayas

This book analyses the significant socio-cultural factors impacting childbirth experiences of women living in remote and complex social settings. This book challenges the notion that childbirth is a universal biological event which women experience in their reproductive lives and provides an in-depth social perspective of understanding childbirth. Drawing on evocative stories of women living in the Himalayas, the author discusses how childbirth should be supported to enable women to take control and ownership of their experiences. Based on extensive research undertaken in remote mountain regions of Nepal, the book provides evidence for and discussion of childbirth in the context of other countries, cultures and communities. Utilising a feminist perspective, this book critiques medical control of childbirth and argues in favour of giving power to women so that they can make decisions which are right for them. In doing so, the author unpacks complexities associated with women’s lives in remote communities and highlights the significance of addressing broader determinants impacting birth outcomes and valuing childbirth traditions to ensure cultural safety for women, families and societies. Through exploring the wide range of factors influencing women and their childbirth experiences, this book offers a new model for childbirth that policy makers, practitioners, communities, educators, researchers and other professionals can use to make childbirth an empowering experience for women. It will be of interest to academics and professionals in the fields of public health, midwifery, health promotion, sociology and South Asian Studies. This book analyses the significant socio-cultural factors impacting childbirth experiences of women living in remote and complex social settings. This book challenges the notion that childbirth is a universal biological event which women experience in their reproductive lives and provides an in-depth social perspective of understanding childbirth. Drawing on evocative stories of women living in the Himalayas, the author discusses how childbirth should be supported to enable women to take control and ownership of their experiences. Based on extensive research undertaken in remote mountain regions of Nepal, this book provides evidence for and discussion of childbirth in the context of other countries, cultures and communities. Utilising a feminist perspective, this book critiques medical control of childbirth and argues in favour of giving power to women so that they can make decisions which are right for them. In doing so, the author unpacks complexities associated with women’s lives in remote communities and highlights the significance of addressing broader determinants impacting birth outcomes and valuing childbirth traditions to ensure cultural safety for women, families and societies. Through exploring the wide range of factors influencing women and their childbirth experiences, this book offers a new model for childbirth that policymakers, practitioners, communities, educators, researchers and other professionals can use to make childbirth an empowering experience for women. It will be of interest to academics and professionals in the fields of public health, midwifery, health promotion, sociology and South Asian Studies. Cover 1 Half Title 2 Series 3 Title 4 Copyright 5 Dedication 6 Contents 8 List of illustrations 9 Preface 10 Acknowledgements 17 Outline of the book 19 1 Introduction: socio-cultural insights into childbirth in South Asia 22 2 Socio-cultural perspective of childbirth 39 3 Childbirth research in complex social settings: methodological reflections 67 4 Tradition, culture and spirituality: God inside 101 5 Women, family members and significant others: paradox of power 128 6 A complex array of factors: too far and too hard 158 7 Insights for policy and practice: the WCEC model of childbirth 180 8 Conclusion: possibilities for positive childbirth experiences 201 Index 205 "This book analyses significant socio-cultural factors impacting childbirth experiences of women living in remote and complex social settings. This book challenges the notion that childbirth is a universal biological event which women experience in their reproductive life and provides an in-depth social perspective of understanding childbirth. Drawing on evocative stories of women living in the Himalayas, the author explains how childbirth should be supported to enable women to take control and ownership of their experiences. Based on extensive research in the mountain setting of Nepal, the book provides evidence and discussion for childbirth in the context other countries, cultures and communities. Utilising a feminist perspective, this book critiques the medical control of childbirth and argues to give power to women so that they can make right decisions. The author unpacks the complexities associated with women's lives in remote communities and highlights the significance of addressing broader determinants impacting birth outcomes and valuing childbirth traditions to ensure cultural safety for women, families and societies. While exploring the wide ranges of factors influencing women and their childbirth experiences, this book offers a new model for childbirth that policy makers, practitioners, communities, educators, researchers and other professionals can use to make childbirth an empowering experience to women. It will be of interest to academics and professionals in the field of public health, midwifery, health promotion, sociology and South Asian Studies"-- Provided by publisher