Rediscovering Birth Book

If there is one name synonymous with birth and everything associated with it, from pregnancy to motherhood, it is that of social anthropologist Sheila Kitzinger. Her 40 years of experience in this field come together masterfully in her latest offering. Rediscovering Childbirth presents a fascinating account of pregnancy and birth garnered from every corner of the earth, and beginning from the earliest ancient recordings. As if Kitzinger's account does not make for compelling reading, stunning visuals are practically worthy of a book in their own right.Kitzinger has been a controversial spokesperson on the subject of medical versus natural birth, arguing that birth is now reduced to a medical event: "The modern medical system brought care out of the bedroom and into the clinic. Care was no longer part of the intimate relationship between a woman and her midwife, but a series of repeated investigations administered by the medical system that often took place in public".While this might seem like an extreme, dogmatic argument, it is in fact a thought-provoking cross-cultural account. Kitzinger's greatest skill lies in steering the reader through her encyclopaedic knowledge, essentially probing us to ask questions and ponder whether we might learn from other cultures. Essential reading for absolutely every woman. --Lorna V.Read More