Caesarean section: women's experience of the medicalisation of childbirth

Abstract

This small-scale feminist study examines the medicalisation of childbirth, focusing on women's experience of caesarean section. Literature on both the medicalisation of childbirth and caesarean section provides background information which illustrates the consequences of the medicalisation of childbirth, and unnecessary caesarean section for women. Methodological issues related to this research are discussed in two chapters, one which concentrates solely on the political and ethical considerations, and the other which focuses on the methods used for data collection and analysis. The results chapters are based on information gained from qualitative in-depth interviews with fourteen women, all of whom have experienced a caesarean delivery. The authenticity of the data was checked at a subsequent focus group meeting where a discussion paper was presented to the women for their comments. As part of the data analysis, the information gathered from the interviews was compared and contrasted with other similar studies. This thesis highlights the physical and mental effects women identified as central to their experience. Caesarean section impacted significantly on women's experience of childbirth, and on their perceptions of themselves as women and mothers. Further New Zealand based research covering all aspects of caesarean section, is needed. Currently there is a shortage of published information on women's experiences, New Zealand caesarean section rates, provider rates and attitudes. While such a dearth exists, caesarean section rates continue to rise seemingly unnoticed by women, health professionals, policy makers and the general public.