Description
Book SynopsisThe study of sociology is now an essential part of all midwifery training, but it can often seem removed from the reality of midwifery practice.
Trade Review"What is the point of sociology for midwives and midwifery? A sociological perspective can give us a different understanding of reproduction and maternity care. It can help us challenge our ‘common sense’ assumptions about how people and the world tick. This new book provides midwives and midwifery students with a readable comprehensive and up to date review of the field of sociology applied to reproduction and maternity care. The editors bring together a very impressive amount of material and present it in an accessible and clear way. Their facility for handling complex theoretical and detailed empirical material is admirable."
Jane Sandall, King’s College London
"The editors and authors of this fine volume have produced a wonderful introduction to the value of a sociological imagination in the practice of midwifery."
Barbara Katz Rothman, City University of New York
"The authors set out to ‘stimulate the sociological imagination’ of their readers. The combination of theoretical analysis and application of sociological theory to specific practice situations provides extensive opportunities for this to take place. Readers who are new to the sociology of maternity care will find ample material to excite and engage them. Those who already have dipped into this vast and fascinating field will find new applications, angles and perspectives that can cast a fresh light on why we do what we do in maternity care, and that provide possible routes for positive change in the future."
Soo Downe, University of Central Lancashire
Table of ContentsIntroduction
Ruth Deery, Elaine Denny and Gayle Letherby
Part 1: Midwifery and the importance of sociology
1 Sociology for Midwives
Sarah Earle and Sarah Church
2 Sociology of Midwifery
Edwin van Teijlingen
3 Methods, Methodology and Epistemology
Gayle Letherby
4 Why Policy Matters
Alistair Hewison
Part 2: Key Issues and Concerns
5 Emotion Work and Midwifery
Ruth Deery and Pamela Fisher
6 Long Term Conditions and Disability
Elaine Denny
7 Meanings and Experiences of Risk in Midwifery
Jayne Samples and Bob Heyman
8 Midwives and Loss
Deborah Davidson
9 Fertility and Reproductive Technologies
Lorraine Culley and Nicky Hudson
Part 3: Debates and Controversies
10 Marginality and Social Exclusion
Jo Murphy Lawless and Nadine Edwards
11 Infant and Young Child Feeding: culture and context
Fiona Dykes
12 Commodification around Birth
Mavis Kirkham
13 Mental Health and Illness
Carol Kingdon
14 Sustainability and Midwifery Practice
Lorna Davies
Conclusion
Ruth Deery, Elaine Denny and Gayle Letherby
