'Race' and Childbirth explores the experiences of pregnancy and childbirth from the perspectives of two groups of South Asian women in Britain. The women's personal accounts are examined within the context of the immense diversity which exists within the South Asian communities in terms of socio-economic, cultural, religious and immigration history. The book highlights the relationship between these factors and women's childbirth experiences. It traces the progress of a group of Gujarati Hindu and Bangladeshi Muslim women from the third trimester of pregnancy to six weeks after birth. The women's moving personal accounts provide an insight into the tension between the medical and traditional approaches to care during pregnancy and childbirth, and the strategies they use in negotiating diametrically opposed childbirth practices. The central role of older female relatives in the maintenance of traditional practices and their influence over pregnant women within extended families is explored in depth.
'Race' and Childbirth provides an up-to-date account of this much neglected subject. It explores issues which are beyond the experience of many health professionals and highlights many areas where there is a need for greater sensitivity. The book is recommended reading for general practitioners, obstetricians, midwives, health visitors and medical social workers. It is also directly relevant to researchers, trainers and students in these fields.

Katbamna, Savita, 1947-

Buckingham, UK ; Philadelphia: Open University Press

Race, health and social care, 1. publ, Buckingham, 2000

United Kingdom and Ireland, United Kingdom

February 2000

1, PS, 2000

2000/01/01

This book explores the experiences of pregnancy and childbirth from the perspectives of two groups of South Asian women in Britain. It traces the progress of a group of Gujarati Hindu and Bangladeshi Muslim women from the third trimester of pregnancy to six weeks after birth. The women's personal accounts are used to examine the relationship between socio-economic, cultural, and religious factors and their childbirth experiences. Tensions between medical and traditional approaches to care are explored. Katbamna received her PhD in Social Policy at Cranfield University, and currently works in the Nuffield Community Care Studies Unit at the University of Leicester.

151 pages ; 24 cm
"'Race' and Childbirth explores the experiences of pregnancy and childbirth from the perspectives of two groups of South Asian women in Britian. The women's personal accounts are examined within the context of the immense diversity which exists within the South Asian communities in terms of socio-economic, cultural, religious and immigration history."-- Back cover
Includes bibliographical references (pages 135-144) and index

Pregnancy and childbirth are essentially biological events, but their meanings and values are constructed and judged by the society in which these events take place.

2023-06-28