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The meaning of "control" for childbearing women in the US

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  • Namey, Emily E.
  • Lyerly, Anne Drapkin

Abstract

Childbearing women, healthcare providers, and commentators on birth broadly identify control as an important issue during childbirth; however, control is rarely defined in literature on the topic. Here we seek to deconstruct the term control as used by childbearing women to better understand the issues and concepts underpinning it. Based on qualitative interviews with 101 parous women in the United States, we analyze meanings of control within the context of birth narratives. We find these meanings correspond to five distinct domains: self-determination, respect, personal security, attachment, and knowledge. We also find ambivalence about this term and concept, in that half our sample recognizes "you cannot control birth". Together, these findings call into question the usefulness of the term for measuring quality or improving maternity care and highlight other concepts which may be more fruitfully explored.

Suggested Citation

  • Namey, Emily E. & Lyerly, Anne Drapkin, 2010. "The meaning of "control" for childbearing women in the US," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 71(4), pages 769-776, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:71:y:2010:i:4:p:769-776
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Cunningham, John D., 1993. "Experiences of Australian mothers who gave birth either at home, at a birth centre, or in hospital labour wards," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 36(4), pages 475-483, February.
    2. Viisainen, Kirsi, 2001. "Negotiating control and meaning: home birth as a self-constructed choice in Finland," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 52(7), pages 1109-1121, April.
    3. Davis-Floyd, Robbie E., 1994. "The technocratic body: American childbirth as cultural expression," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 38(8), pages 1125-1140, April.
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    1. Altshuler, Anna L. & Ojanen-Goldsmith, Alison & Blumenthal, Paul D. & Freedman, Lori R., 2017. "A good abortion experience: A qualitative exploration of women's needs and preferences in clinical care," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 191(C), pages 109-116.
    2. Tully, Kristin P. & Ball, Helen L., 2013. "Misrecognition of need: Women's experiences of and explanations for undergoing cesarean delivery," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 103-111.
    3. Miller, Amy Chasteen & Shriver, Thomas E., 2012. "Women's childbirth preferences and practices in the United States," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 75(4), pages 709-716.
    4. Gustavo De Santis & Valentina Tocchioni & Chiara Seghieri & Sabina Nuti, 2016. "Women’s satisfaction during pregnancy and at delivery in Tuscany (Italy)," Econometrics Working Papers Archive 2016_08, Universita' degli Studi di Firenze, Dipartimento di Statistica, Informatica, Applicazioni "G. Parenti".

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