Birthing Autonomy

As the rate of home births continues to increase, health policymakers are considering the best ways to deliver community-based midwifery services and training in home births for new midwives and obstetricians. In this first qualitative exploration of home births in the UK, Nadine Edwards focuses on women’s experiences of planning home births on hospital birth culture. She looks at how differently the pros and cons of home births are constructed and considered by expectant mothers and by the medical profession. Key questions explored by Edwards are: * What do we know? * What does she know? * How have we got here? * What’s safe and what’s risky? This academically outstanding work is solidly based in feminist theories, and looks at topical issues surrounding empowerment and technomedical culture. A perfect reference for midwives and obstetricians.

Author Biography

Nadine Pilley Edwards has worked with AIMS since 1980. She is a part-time research associate at the University of Sheffield, and lectures and writes on maternity issues in the UK and overseas. She has written numerous articles and chapters on relationships between women and midwives, informed choice, safety and risk, and research methods.