Women's Experiences of Postnatal Care in Czech Maternity Hospitals

This diploma thesis focuses on the issue of postnatal care in maternity hospitals in the Czech Republic as it is perceived by women who went through the medicalised obstetric birth in the past year. It examines in particular women's expectations concerning the care on the postnatal ward, their experiences of various aspects of care provided, the moments women highlight and the strategies they adopt in case of possible clashes of their own "non-expert" opinions with the regime of particular maternity hospital or "authoritative knowledge" of the staff. The aim of this thesis is to present the authentic experiences of postnatal care and to implant them into broader conceptual framework, especially considering the medical discourse and possible disciplinary techniques which are implemented to strengthen the authority of medical staff and to provide the opportunity for physical and social control of women