Description
Book SynopsisHighlighting aspects of birth often taken for granted, ignored or left silenced, this book questions the art and meaning of childbirth. Addressing spirituality in and around the start of life from a variety of thought-provoking perspectives, it examines the apparent paradox of impersonal biomedical-technocratic systems operating alongside the meaningful experiences encountered by those involved. Themes covered include:
- Notions of holism and spirituality, culture, religion and spirituality
- Childbirth significance at societal level
- Spiritual care in maternity care provision
- Birth environment, mood, space and place
- Spiritual experience of all those involved, including health professionals
- Spiritual experience when birth is complex and challenging
- When birth and death are juxtaposed.
Although there is considerable literature on spirituality
Trade Review
"One highlight for me is Alison Barrett’s essay which takes apart the language of obstetrics to analyse the paradox of ‘spiritual obstetrics’. Another highlight is the practical and nuanced discussion by Lemay and Hastie on how midwives can hold the sacred space of childbirth. The book concludes that spirituality is a normal and special part of the childbirth experience and asks how can we ensure that this is respected and protected?"
-Rea Daellenbach, Lecturer in Midwifery, Ara Institute of Canterbury
Table of ContentsList of figures and tables
Notes on contributors
Foreword
Acknowledgements
Part I: Setting the context
Chapter 1: Introduction Susan Crowther and Jenny Hall
Chapter 2: Childbirth as a sacred celebration Susan Crowther
Chapter 3: Ritual and art in a philosophy of birth Anna Hennessey
Part II: Spirituality and the childbirth year
Chapter 4: Pregnancy and the unborn child Jenny Hall
Chapter 5: Spiritual questions during childbearing Ingela Lundgren
Chapter 6: Pregnancy loss and complexity Joan Gabrielle Lalor
Chapter 7: Holding sacred space in labour and birth Céline Lemay and Carolyn Hastie
Chapter 8: Couples’ spiritual experiences at birth Jenny Parratt
Chapter 9: Spiritual obstetrics Alison Barratt
Chapter 10: Growth and renewal through traumatic birth Gill Thomson
Chapter 11: Spirituality when a newborn is unwell Sílvia Caldeira
Chapter 12: Parenthood and spirituality José Miguel de Angulo and Luz Stella Losada
Part III: Pulling the threads together
Chapter 13: Conclusion: ‘there is something going on at birth!’ Jenny Hall and Susan Crowther
Index
