There has been considerable furor surrounding midwifery professor Denis Walsh’s assertion that women benefit from the pain of childbirth. It is important to understand that although Walsh attempts to ground his claim in science, the scientific evidence does not support him. That’s because “natural” childbirth has nothing to do with science; it is a philosophy, not an impartial result of scientific facts.
From it’s origin in Biblical injunctions that childbirth pain is punishment for women’s inherent sinfulness, to it’s modern adaptation by eugenicist Grantly Dick-Read, preoccupied as he was with racist, sexist fantasies, it has never had any basis in science. That didn’t stop 19th Century opponents of anesthesia for childbirth from insisting that it was “unnatural;” it didn’t stop Grantly Dick-Read from making up “science” to support his racist and sexist claims; and it certainly does not stop contemporary advocates of “natural” childbirth from insisting that unmedicated childbirth is better, despite the fact that the scientific evidence shows that unmedicated childbirth is not better, safer, healthier or superior in any way to childbirth with pain relief.
So if “natural” childbirth has no basis in science, what about it’s validity as a philosophy?
There are quite a few problems there, too. That’s because “natural” childbirth makes assumptions about the nature of women, science and pain, assumptions that most people do not support. Indeed the most powerful critique of the “natural” childbirth movement is to be found in feminist philosophy. Feminist philosopher Katherine Beckett, in Choosing Cesarean: Feminism and the politics of childbirth in the United States, (Feminist Theory, 2005, vol. 6(3): 251–275) writes:
..[Feminist] critics argue that the idealization of ‘natural childbirth’ rests on the assumption that both women and childbirth have a true essence or nature that is respected by the natural childbirth movement but violated by the medical establishment: birth activists then ‘assert a nature to which birthing women must conform’…
Beckett points out that the claim of “natural” childbirth advocates that pain relief is pushed on women to their detriment is in direct contradiction of actual historical fact:
…[H]istorical scholarship indicates that women had long expressed a great deal of fear and trepidation about the potential pain (and danger) of childbirth. Indeed, many first wave feminist activists saw the right to pain relief as an important political issue and argued strenuously for women’s right to relieve their suffering … through the use of drugs, and specifically, scopolamine. These activists were outraged by obstetricians’ reluctance to provide pharmacological pain relief …
Beckett also addresses belief that childbirth pain is good for women, the belief that Walsh promotes.
Pain is a recurring issue for feminist analysts of childbirth … First wave feminists saw the right to pain relief during childbirth as an important political issue… [T]hird wave scholars, drawing on their experiences with alternative ‘birth culture’, have criticized the alternative birthing community’s knee-jerk rejection of (pharmacological) pain relief and understand this rejection as indicative of a kind of machisma, a belief that birth is ‘an extreme sport’. ‘Isn’t it interesting’, one such writer comments, ‘that the movement that’s supposedly feminist is the one that insists on women feeling pain?’. Another suggests: ‘Today’s natural childbirth purists don’t see moral punishment in pain but they do see moral superiority in refusing pain relief’.
The idea that women do (or should) savour, enjoy, or feel empowered by the experience of labour and delivery, they argue, romanticizes women’s roles as lifebearers and mothers, and assumes an emotional and physical reality (or posits an emotional and physical norm) that does not exist for many…
In short, some feminists perceive the alternative birth movement as rigid and moralistic, insistent that giving birth ‘naturally’ is superior and, indeed, is a measure of a ‘good mother’. The perceived moralism of this stance is quite troubling to some; according to one feminist critic, the ‘natural’ philosophy … is as tyrannical and prescriptive as the medical model, but pretends not to be …
It is against this background that Walsh’s claim should be evaluated. It is not science; it is philosophy and even as philosophy it has serious problems. The obsession with unmedicated birth is based on flawed assumptions about women and about pain. It is inappropriately moralistic, and consciously or unconsciously serves only to elevate the personal choices of “natural” childbirth/homebirth advocates, while denigrating the choices of most women.
Trackbacks/Pingbacks
virtual card buy with bitcoin
[…]here are some links to web-sites that we link to because we consider they’re worth visiting[…]
virtual credit card buy with bitcoin
[…]below you will come across the link to some internet sites that we believe you should visit[…]
happyruck
[…]Wonderful story, reckoned we could combine a few unrelated data, nonetheless really really worth taking a search, whoa did one understand about Mid East has got a lot more problerms also […]
Gorilla Trekking Bwindi Impenetrable forest
[…]very couple of web sites that come about to become detailed below, from our point of view are undoubtedly properly worth checking out[…]
CableFreeTV Tech News
[…]although internet websites we backlink to beneath are considerably not associated to ours, we really feel they are really worth a go by way of, so possess a look[…]
Buy Purple Weed Strains Online
…
ebit-e9-pro-25t-s-with-psu-bitcoin-btc-miner-new-for-sale
[…]we came across a cool web page that you simply may well appreciate. Take a appear when you want[…]
mining rigs
[…]Here is a great Weblog You may Come across Intriguing that we Encourage You[…]
Click Here
…
Buy Vyvanse Online UK
[…]here are some links to internet sites that we link to for the reason that we think they’re worth visiting[…]
Rent a car Bar
[…]always a massive fan of linking to bloggers that I like but really don’t get a whole lot of link like from[…]
best testosterone booster
[…]Here are a few of the web pages we advise for our visitors[…]
mint juul pod
[…]Here is an excellent Blog You might Find Interesting that we Encourage You[…]
buy high quality counterfeit money online
[…]please visit the internet sites we comply with, which includes this 1, because it represents our picks through the web[…]
happyLuke
[…]Wonderful story, reckoned we could combine several unrelated data, nevertheless definitely really worth taking a look, whoa did one study about Mid East has got much more problerms too […]
MURANG’A UNIVERSITY
[…]Here are a number of the web sites we advocate for our visitors[…]
raw garden cartridges
[…]Every the moment inside a although we pick blogs that we study. Listed below would be the most current sites that we opt for […]
Seiko Alpinist
[…]Here are a number of the web-sites we advise for our visitors[…]
Apple Jack Strain
[…]here are some links to sites that we link to for the reason that we believe they’re worth visiting[…]
BUY WEED ONLINE
[…]please take a look at the web sites we adhere to, including this one particular, because it represents our picks from the web[…]
ri3284 n
[…]just beneath, are several entirely not related sites to ours, even so, they may be surely really worth going over[…]
pocket vagina
[…]Here is a good Blog You might Obtain Intriguing that we Encourage You[…]
masturbators
…
beretta pistols
…
Uganda Tour
[…]Sites of interest we have a link to[…]
Safari Uganda
[…]check beneath, are some entirely unrelated internet sites to ours, even so, they may be most trustworthy sources that we use[…]
Kenya safari
[…]one of our guests recently proposed the following website[…]
kareh b
…
bitcoin
…
dizziness
[…]please visit the web sites we adhere to, such as this a single, as it represents our picks through the web[…]
Buy Guns Online at Sig Sauer
[…]Wonderful story, reckoned we could combine a number of unrelated information, nevertheless really really worth taking a look, whoa did one particular understand about Mid East has got a lot more problerms as well […]
RissMiner
[…]Every as soon as inside a whilst we pick blogs that we read. Listed below would be the latest internet sites that we select […]
pills for sale in australia
[…]Wonderful story, reckoned we could combine several unrelated information, nonetheless definitely worth taking a look, whoa did a single study about Mid East has got a lot more problerms as well […]
understanding stock market
[…]Wonderful story, reckoned we could combine a few unrelated data, nevertheless seriously worth taking a look, whoa did 1 find out about Mid East has got far more problerms too […]
G17 GEN5 MOS FS STANDARD | 9X19MM
[…]we came across a cool web page that you just might get pleasure from. Take a search when you want[…]
Beretta cx4
[…]although internet websites we backlink to beneath are considerably not connected to ours, we really feel they are essentially worth a go via, so possess a look[…]
شركة تسويق
…
bench press sets for sale
[…]always a large fan of linking to bloggers that I love but do not get a lot of link love from[…]
d33006 video card
[…]we came across a cool website that you may well delight in. Take a appear should you want[…]
Murchison falls safari
…
buy weed online australia
[…]always a significant fan of linking to bloggers that I like but really don’t get a lot of link really like from[…]
ROVE CARTRIDGES
[…]we came across a cool web site that you just might love. Take a look in case you want[…]
smith and wesson sd40 for sale
[…]Here are a few of the websites we recommend for our visitors[…]
pallas cat
[…]Here are some of the web sites we suggest for our visitors[…]
beretta 85fs cheetah for sale
…
juul mint
[…]very handful of sites that occur to be detailed beneath, from our point of view are undoubtedly nicely worth checking out[…]
cheap but top shelf cannabis online
[…]Sites of interest we have a link to[…]
best background check
[…]Sites of interest we’ve a link to[…]
magic mushrooms
[…]check below, are some absolutely unrelated websites to ours, nonetheless, they’re most trustworthy sources that we use[…]
magic mushrooms
[…]check below, are some absolutely unrelated internet sites to ours, nonetheless, they may be most trustworthy sources that we use[…]
stizzy battery starter kit
[…]Wonderful story, reckoned we could combine a handful of unrelated information, nonetheless truly really worth taking a search, whoa did 1 find out about Mid East has got much more problerms also […]
munsters slot machine for sale
[…]the time to read or stop by the content material or websites we’ve linked to beneath the[…]
mossberg mc1sc
…
sig sauer p220 equinox 45 for sale
[…]Every after in a even though we opt for blogs that we study. Listed below are the newest web-sites that we pick […]
taurus pt92 for sale
[…]the time to read or go to the content material or web pages we have linked to below the[…]
kimber k6s for sale
[…]we came across a cool site that you simply may possibly delight in. Take a appear when you want[…]
PUFF BAR THC
[…]Every once inside a though we select blogs that we study. Listed beneath are the newest web pages that we decide on […]
Buy Morphine pills online
…
lowes sso
[…]check beneath, are some completely unrelated web sites to ours, however, they are most trustworthy sources that we use[…]
software
Izrada web sajtova, mobilnih aplikacija, portala i internet prodavnica
aromatherapy for anxiety
…
Serengeti African safari
[…]check below, are some totally unrelated web sites to ours, on the other hand, they may be most trustworthy sources that we use[…]
ارقام بنات
…
shipping containers for sale
[…]very handful of internet websites that transpire to become comprehensive below, from our point of view are undoubtedly properly worth checking out[…]
OLX FARMING EQUIPMENT FOR SALE
[…]check beneath, are some absolutely unrelated websites to ours, on the other hand, they’re most trustworthy sources that we use[…]
best male sex toys
[…]Here are a few of the sites we advocate for our visitors[…]
Kampala City Tour
[…]The information and facts talked about within the post are several of the ideal out there […]
Mac akku service meilen
[…]very few sites that happen to be comprehensive below, from our point of view are undoubtedly very well really worth checking out[…]
Uganda safari Murchison falls national park
…
GOLF CARTS FOR SALE
[…]one of our guests not too long ago advised the following website[…]
Macbook akku service zürich
[…]Here are a few of the internet sites we advise for our visitors[…]
Buy Guns Online
[…]one of our visitors not long ago suggested the following website[…]
IT Services Bristol
…
Consultant seo
[…]although internet sites we backlink to below are considerably not related to ours, we feel they are essentially worth a go by, so possess a look[…]
baby sugar gliders for sale
[…]we came across a cool website that you simply may love. Take a appear in the event you want[…]
mp3 juices
…
games for pc download
…
free download for pc windows
[…]Every after inside a whilst we choose blogs that we read. Listed below are the most recent web-sites that we decide on […]
free windows app download
[…]one of our visitors not long ago advised the following website[…]
free app download for windows 10
[…]Here are a number of the web-sites we advocate for our visitors[…]
apps download for pc
…
بديل تروكولر
[…]one of our guests not too long ago proposed the following website[…]
handjob stroker
…
clitoral stimulator
[…]always a big fan of linking to bloggers that I really like but really don’t get a good deal of link like from[…]
canada pharmacy
[…]one of our visitors lately proposed the following website[…]
Abraham Moss Community School
[…]Here is a superb Blog You may Locate Intriguing that we Encourage You[…]
NAPHYRONE FOR SALE
…
Pitbull puppies for sale near me
[…]Here are some of the sites we recommend for our visitors[…]
Macaw parrots for sale
…
big chief napalm og price
…
Kingpen
[…]Here are several of the sites we suggest for our visitors[…]
magno
[…]please go to the web pages we stick to, such as this a single, because it represents our picks from the web[…]
머니상
[…]Here is a superb Blog You might Come across Intriguing that we Encourage You[…]
gangotri school gondal
[…]just beneath, are many absolutely not connected web pages to ours, even so, they’re certainly worth going over[…]
best in ottawa
[…]here are some hyperlinks to sites that we link to simply because we think they are worth visiting[…]
pocket masturbator
[…]Here are some of the websites we suggest for our visitors[…]
penis enhancer
…
penis ring review
[…]although web-sites we backlink to below are considerably not related to ours, we feel they are in fact really worth a go by means of, so possess a look[…]
sex toy myths and facts
[…]although websites we backlink to beneath are considerably not associated to ours, we really feel they may be actually worth a go by means of, so have a look[…]
male stroker
[…]just beneath, are various totally not related sites to ours, even so, they are surely really worth going over[…]
Trusted dex ctrlcoin.io
[…]we came across a cool site that you could get pleasure from. Take a look should you want[…]
sites para ver futebol
[…]very handful of sites that happen to be in depth below, from our point of view are undoubtedly nicely really worth checking out[…]
film streaming 2021
[…]although web-sites we backlink to beneath are considerably not connected to ours, we feel they’re actually worth a go by, so have a look[…]
film streaming 2021
[…]Sites of interest we’ve a link to[…]
streamcomplet
[…]here are some links to web sites that we link to simply because we consider they’re really worth visiting[…]
car transport service
…
… [Trackback]
[…] Read More Info here to that Topic: skepticalob.com/2009/07/feminist-critique-of-natural-childbirth.html […]
Peer-To-Peer Lending And Borrowing Protocol
[…]here are some hyperlinks to internet sites that we link to mainly because we consider they may be worth visiting[…]
azeri escort
[…]Here are several of the sites we recommend for our visitors[…]
Bulldogs for sale
[…]just beneath, are many totally not related sites to ours, nonetheless, they are certainly worth going over[…]
سکس امریکایی
[…]Sites of interest we have a link to[…]
how to use the best realistic dildo
[…]check below, are some absolutely unrelated web-sites to ours, on the other hand, they may be most trustworthy sources that we use[…]
dildo with balls
[…]here are some links to web pages that we link to due to the fact we assume they are really worth visiting[…]
best male masturbator
[…]Wonderful story, reckoned we could combine several unrelated data, nevertheless seriously worth taking a appear, whoa did one discover about Mid East has got a lot more problerms at the same time […]
Google
…
lottovip
[…]very handful of web sites that take place to become comprehensive below, from our point of view are undoubtedly nicely worth checking out[…]
ground leases
[…]the time to study or check out the content or web sites we’ve linked to beneath the[…]
MILF Porn
[…]please visit the sites we stick to, which includes this one particular, because it represents our picks through the web[…]
hosting deals
[…]we came across a cool site that you just may well take pleasure in. Take a appear if you want[…]
lottovip สมัครสมาชิก
[…]check beneath, are some entirely unrelated web sites to ours, however, they may be most trustworthy sources that we use[…]
Best Masturbator
[…]we came across a cool web-site that you may love. Take a look in the event you want[…]
visit here
[…]below you will come across the link to some sites that we assume you ought to visit[…]
adam and eve vibrators
[…]always a huge fan of linking to bloggers that I like but really don’t get a lot of link like from[…]
Easypulse portable oxygen concentrator
[…]the time to read or go to the subject material or websites we have linked to below the[…]
realistic male masturbator
[…]below you will locate the link to some web-sites that we consider it is best to visit[…]
battery powered vibrators
…
panty vibrator
[…]one of our visitors not long ago recommended the following website[…]
thrusting p spot massager
[…]usually posts some incredibly interesting stuff like this. If you are new to this site[…]
fun88
[…]here are some hyperlinks to web-sites that we link to since we think they are really worth visiting[…]
buy weed in detriot
[…]please visit the sites we adhere to, which includes this a single, because it represents our picks from the web[…]
Food Delivery
[…]the time to study or stop by the material or web sites we’ve linked to beneath the[…]
mersin escort
[…]please stop by the web pages we comply with, like this a single, as it represents our picks in the web[…]
sensuelle massager
…
best sex toys
[…]check below, are some totally unrelated web sites to ours, even so, they may be most trustworthy sources that we use[…]
ultimate thrusting rabbit vibrator
[…]Sites of interest we have a link to[…]
ben wa balls review
[…]The facts talked about within the write-up are several of the top offered […]
Local Shroom Delivery
…
avrupa yakasi escort
[…]Every the moment inside a while we decide on blogs that we read. Listed below are the most recent web pages that we opt for […]
gaziosmanpasa escort
[…]here are some hyperlinks to web sites that we link to due to the fact we feel they may be worth visiting[…]
cleaning silicone sex toys
[…]please go to the web sites we adhere to, like this 1, because it represents our picks through the web[…]
AMI Healthcare International Hospital Operations Management
[…]Here is a good Blog You might Locate Intriguing that we Encourage You[…]
male pocket strokers
[…]always a large fan of linking to bloggers that I like but do not get a great deal of link like from[…]
clit massager
…
happyluke ฟรี300
…
sports
…
Buy Oxycontin Online
[…]Here are several of the web-sites we recommend for our visitors[…]
CANADA PHARMACY CANADA PHARMACY CANADA PHARMACY
[…]Sites of interest we’ve a link to[…]
arnavutkoy escort
[…]very couple of sites that take place to be comprehensive beneath, from our point of view are undoubtedly properly worth checking out[…]
penis vacuum pumps
[…]Every once in a although we pick out blogs that we study. Listed below would be the newest internet sites that we pick out […]
best penis sleeve
…
butterfly strap on
[…]the time to study or check out the content or web sites we’ve linked to beneath the[…]
TREATING ALLERGIES
[…]The information and facts talked about within the article are some of the most beneficial readily available […]
male stroker
…
click here
[…]please take a look at the web-sites we follow, such as this one particular, because it represents our picks from the web[…]
Volkswagen Cocaine For Sale
[…]the time to read or pay a visit to the content material or websites we have linked to beneath the[…]
ptsd
[…]very few internet sites that transpire to become detailed below, from our point of view are undoubtedly nicely worth checking out[…]
canada pharmacy canada pharmacy
[…]Every the moment in a when we select blogs that we study. Listed beneath would be the latest internet sites that we choose […]
rugers for sale
[…]we came across a cool website that you just may possibly love. Take a appear should you want[…]
gushers weed strain
[…]Here is an excellent Blog You might Discover Interesting that we Encourage You[…]
can i buy cannabutter online
…
canada pharmacy canada pharmacy
[…]Sites of interest we’ve a link to[…]
معرفة هوية المتصل
[…]just beneath, are quite a few absolutely not connected web-sites to ours, even so, they may be certainly really worth going over[…]
buy Juul pods online
[…]check beneath, are some totally unrelated internet sites to ours, even so, they are most trustworthy sources that we use[…]
Buy firearms online discreet
[…]just beneath, are quite a few entirely not related web sites to ours, having said that, they’re certainly worth going over[…]
software reviewer
[…]please take a look at the internet sites we follow, which includes this 1, because it represents our picks through the web[…]
Cryptocurrency HBCUC
…
visit website
[…]The information mentioned inside the write-up are several of the very best readily available […]
permanent hair removal
[…]Sites of interest we’ve a link to[…]
adam and eve
…
costco shed
…
alligator meat online
[…]below you will uncover the link to some websites that we think it is best to visit[…]
Dumbbell Set
[…]Here is a great Blog You might Uncover Intriguing that we Encourage You[…]
bulk 30 30 ammo
[…]very few sites that occur to be comprehensive beneath, from our point of view are undoubtedly effectively worth checking out[…]
Vape Carts For Sale
https://theclearconcerntrate.com/ The Clear classic oil is mixed with CBD isolate and our preparatory flavorings for the best taste and consistency on the market today.
pharmacy canada
[…]the time to read or pay a visit to the subject material or internet sites we’ve linked to beneath the[…]
Roofing Company
[…]Here is a good Weblog You might Come across Exciting that we Encourage You[…]
escort istanbul
[…]we came across a cool web site that you simply may possibly get pleasure from. Take a look in case you want[…]
sultanbeyli escort
[…]Every when in a even though we choose blogs that we read. Listed below would be the latest sites that we decide on […]
MUT
[…]Wonderful story, reckoned we could combine a couple of unrelated information, nonetheless seriously really worth taking a look, whoa did one master about Mid East has got far more problerms too […]
Surat utang obligasi
[…]check below, are some completely unrelated sites to ours, nonetheless, they may be most trustworthy sources that we use[…]
Glock Guns for sale
[…]please pay a visit to the sites we stick to, which includes this one, because it represents our picks in the web[…]
moving company
[…]one of our visitors a short while ago recommended the following website[…]
shop ruger guns online
[…]Sites of interest we have a link to[…]
thc vape cartridges for sale
[…]one of our visitors not too long ago advised the following website[…]
Ruger Ammo and Magazines for sale.
[…]we came across a cool web page that you may possibly enjoy. Take a search when you want[…]
ptr 9ct for sale
[…]Here are a few of the internet sites we advise for our visitors[…]
tiktok followers
[…]although web sites we backlink to beneath are considerably not associated to ours, we feel they may be actually worth a go as a result of, so possess a look[…]
weed near me
[…]we came across a cool site that you simply could enjoy. Take a appear in case you want[…]
buy weed online
[…]although internet websites we backlink to below are considerably not related to ours, we really feel they are in fact really worth a go by means of, so possess a look[…]
buy weed
[…]Every once in a when we select blogs that we read. Listed beneath would be the most up-to-date websites that we pick […]
buy weed online
[…]here are some links to websites that we link to because we assume they’re really worth visiting[…]
weed near me
…
BIG CHIEF EXTRACTS
[…]please check out the web sites we comply with, such as this one particular, because it represents our picks in the web[…]
clit vibrator
[…]one of our visitors just lately advised the following website[…]
doc johnson
…
sex toy reviews
[…]Every when in a while we pick blogs that we study. Listed beneath are the most current internet sites that we decide on […]
bachelor’s degree
…
buy legal weed
[…]Here are a few of the web-sites we recommend for our visitors[…]
buy delta 8 online
[…]usually posts some pretty exciting stuff like this. If you are new to this site[…]
best cbd gummies
…
Edibles
[…]very few web-sites that occur to be detailed beneath, from our point of view are undoubtedly properly really worth checking out[…]
weed edible gummies
[…]always a significant fan of linking to bloggers that I like but really don’t get a lot of link enjoy from[…]
Google
Just beneath, are quite a few entirely not connected web-sites to ours, even so, they’re certainly really worth going over.
Google
The time to read or check out the content or internet sites we have linked to below.
louboutin femme pas cher
Dave, I looked into this problem, as well as ended up being can not replicate that. Whenever you were being delivering the actual photo, were being an individual capable to view the image inside your message? William
Title…
[…]The facts mentioned in the report are several of the most effective readily available […]…
Title…
[…]the time to study or take a look at the material or websites we’ve linked to below the[…]…
Title…
[…]here are some hyperlinks to sites that we link to simply because we believe they are worth visiting[…]…
Title…
[…]very few web sites that occur to be in depth below, from our point of view are undoubtedly properly worth checking out[…]…
Title…
[…]The information mentioned inside the write-up are a number of the best readily available […]…
Title…
[…]the time to read or go to the subject material or sites we have linked to below the[…]…