2011 - Talk Birth

Few have the courage, drive and imagination to invent life-narratives drastically different from those they’ve
been told are possible. And unfortunately, some self-invented narratives are really just reversals of the
limiting stereotype...” –Patrician Monaghan (New Book of Goddesses and Heroines, p. xii)
—-
Related posts:
[9]What to Expect When You Go to the Hospital for a Natural Childbirth
[10]Birth & Culture & Pregnant Feelings
[11]Asking the right questions…
[12]Active Birth in the Hospital
[13]Why do I care?
References:
De Vries, Raymond. May 20, 2010. Birthing Ethics: What You Should Know About the Ethics of
Childbirth, Webinar presented by Lamaze International.
De Vries, Raymond. Feb. 26-27. U.S. Maternity Care: Understanding the Exception That Proves
the Rule. [14]Coalition for Improving Maternity Services (CIMS). 2010 Mother-Friendly Childbirth Forum
1. http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10068
2. http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10068
3. http://talkbirth.me/2010/05/24/information-%E2%89%A0-knowledge/
4. http://pathwaystofamilywellness.org/
5. http://talkbirth.wordpress.com/2011/07/16/women-and-knowing/
6. http://talkbirth.wordpress.com/2011/06/27/asking-the-right-questions/
7. http://wp.me/ptKtz-qj
8. http://talkbirth.me/2010/02/24/musings-on-story-experience-choice/
9. http://talkbirth.me/2009/09/09/what-to-expect-when-you-go-to-the-hospital-for-a-natural-childbirth/
10. http://talkbirth.me/2010/02/06/birth-culture-pregnant-feelings/
11. http://talkbirth.me/2011/06/27/asking-the-right-questions/
12. http://talkbirth.me/2011/08/31/active-birth-in-the-hospital/
13. file://localhost/mnt/ext/blogbooker/tmp/2010/07/29/why-do-i-care-about-birth/
14. http://www.motherfriendly.org/
Kristen O (@BirthingKristen) (2011-12-31 00:10:50)
Fascinating, insightful, and altogether brilliant post. I guess my hang-up on these matters stems from a problem
that goes all the way back to my initial work in academic philosophy (i.e. my ”pre-birthy” job ;) ). Within theories
of autonomy, there is a debate over whether to endorse a procedural view of autonomy (i.e. one in which a person
must meet a set of general and decision-content-independent conditions in order to be considered autonomous) or a
substantive view of autonomy (i.e. one in which someone cannot be considered autonomous based on the content of
their decisions EVEN IF they all meet the conditions for a procedural view of autonomy). Okay, I’ve done a bad job
of explaining this, but here’s the gist: the debate comes up often in regard to feminine socialization. Can a woman
*autonomously* choose to enter, for instance, a ”quiverfull” family, even if doing so might ultimately compromise some
of her autonomy-making capabilities? Can a woman *autonomously* choose to submit to a patriarchal maternity care
system, even if doing so might ultimately compromise some of her autonomy-making capabilities? Some who endorse
a procedural view would say yes, but those who endorse a substantive view would say no. And long story short? I
don’t know exactly where I fall on this matter.
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