The Women\u27s Health Movement and the History of Childbirth

Women*s childbirth decisions are often affected by their socioeconomic status and the options available to them. The history of childbirth practices has effected women\u27s choices of today. This research looks at both the historical and contemporary childbirth options available to pregnant women. Methodologically the project considers the medicalization of childbirth in a comparative analysis of the last 100 years in the United States with a focus on the effects women pioneers had on the Women\u27s Health Movement. Using selected texts; I chronicle the history of childbirth and the many factors that influenced it, such as the professionalization of medicine, Women\u27s Health Movement, economics, and politics. Looking at political players, economic factors, and the powerful women leaders of the past in a contrast and comparative analysis will show how feminism has affected childbirth. Results show childbirth has gone from a woman centered and socially supportive celebration to a scary medicalized event, which is presently coming back to a woman-centered event. Results also show some important differences and similarities between the past and present in relation to the morbidity and mortality rates, and the medical procedures used. I also show how medical interventions used in childbirth played a pivotal role in reversing the medicalization of this process. This analysis of the past and present will show that women are reclaiming childbirth from the medical institutions