Birthing Models on the Human Rights Frontier

Speaking Truth to Power

Robbie Davis-Floyd editor Betty-Anne Daviss editor

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Taylor & Francis Ltd

Published:30th Dec '20

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

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Birthing Models on the Human Rights Frontier cover

This book addresses the politics of global health and social justice issues around birth, focusing on dynamic communities that have chosen to speak truth to power by reforming dysfunctional health care systems or creating new ones outside the box.

The chapters present models of childbirth at extreme ends of a spectrum—from the conflict zones and disaster areas of Afghanistan, Israel, Palestine, and Indonesia, to high-risk tertiary care settings in China, Canada, Australia, and Turkey. Debunking notions about best care, the volume illustrates how human rights in health care are on a collision course with global capitalism and offers a number of specific solutions to this ever-increasing problem.

This volume will be a valuable resource for scholars and students in anthropology, sociology, health, and midwifery, as well as for practitioners, policy makers, and organizations focused on birth or on social activism in any arena.

“This publication is a fine example of ‘speaking up, speaking out’ … The stories told here, expertly analysed by the author with searing honesty, compassion and awareness demonstrate[es] that a model ofnormal physiologic reproductionwithout medical or technicalintervention can work!”

-- Lynn R. S. Genevieve, Midwifery Matters, Dec 2022

"This groundbreaking book should spark a revolution in western maternity care systems, if only the powers-that-be would take heed. Because what is almost miraculous is that the examples presented from across the world verifiably achieve superior results at much lower cost and with much higher family satisfaction than those of our own country. They do this by actively centering soft touch into their care systems. These cultures pay honor to the human rights of privacy, security, and freedom, intimacy and autonomy. We can all build thriving families that are emotionally and physically healthier by merging humane practices with technological advances."

-- Karen Ehrlich CPM, LM, MA

"How to describe this amazing book! A rich, and richly illustrated – with color photographs – compendium of current knowledge and wisdom about childbirth, midwifery, human rights, social justice, and more. Presenting models from around the world that are effectively challenging the status quo. And the personal stories of courageous women and men standing up to unjust systems of maternity care make it compelling reading. I hope it inspires you to discuss the critical issues it raises with others who care as deeply as you and I about creating an equitable world, one that is safe and supportive for all childbearing women, babies and families."

-- Suzanne Arms, author of Immaculate Deception: A New Look at Women and Childbirth in America

ISBN: 9780367357924

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: 660g

460 pages