Labour Pain, ‘Natal Politics’ and Reproductive Justice for Black Birth Givers

Pre-natal social stress and post-natal pain affect the developing pig reproductive axis.

This study assessed the effect of pre-natal social stress and post-natal pain on the reproductive development of young (approximately day 40) pigs. Male pigs carried by sows that were stressed by mixing with unfamiliar older sows for two 1-week periods during mid-pregnancy had lower plasma testosterone (0.54 vs 0.86 ng/ml, S.E.D.=0.11; P=0.014) and oestradiol (E(2); 22.9 vs 38.7 pg/ml, S.E.D.=7...

Labour, Birth and Autonomy

Several crucial bioethical concerns arise regarding physician approaches to caesarean sections in light of their increasingly high numbers. I have argued [1,2] that current obstetrical practices advocate active labour management and thus encourage or even demand the use of technology to manage labour and birth. Social pressures increase women’s perceived need to use reproductive technologies an...

Efficacy of birth ball exercises on labour pain management.

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the efficacy of a birth ball exercise programme conducted by physiotherapists on pain relief, psychological care, and facilitation of the labour process at a labour ward in a regional hospital. DESIGN Case series with before-after comparisons. SETTING Kwong Wah Hospital, Hong Kong. PARTICIPANTS Chinese women admitted to the labour ward for spontaneous vaginal delive...

Politics, power, and birth.

Politics is the process and method of decision making for individuals and groups. Politics may define the power relationships between women and their healthcare providers. Politics may shape the experience for the woman. Nurses and birthing women can learn to negotiate the politics and power relationships surrounding the birth experience.

Complementary therapies for labour and birth: A randomized controlled trial of antenatal integrative medicine for pain management in labour