contractions: the politics of midwifery
Contractions is a podcast about the politics of midwifery. All contractions address the analysis and practical change of one political issue surrounding childbirth, such as obstetric or reproductive violence, care, workload, sexism or racism. Every contraction is necessary to cope with in order to arrive at the birth of a midwifery care wherein all pregnant people feel free, safe, and emotionally and physically supported. Contractions' aim is to start an international dialogue with midwives globally, to recognise our issues as shared issues, and to learn from each others visions, critiques and practices. If you want to share your own political contraction that you're currently labouring through, or inscribe to our mailinglist to receive updates, please send an email to rodantevanderwaal@gmail.com. Contractions is produced by Rodante van der Waal and Vinny Tailor and is part of the Dutch midwifery platform www.hetvroedegeluid.nl. SEASON TWO COMING UP END OF NOVEMBER 2021!!
contractions: the politics of midwifery
Contraction I: Power/Knowledge with Elizabeth Newnham
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Season 1
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Episode 1
dr. Elizabeth Newnham is a midwife, researcher and teacher at Griffith University, Australia. She studies the way in which power and knowledge function in obstetrics from a Foucauldian framework. She is the author of the book Towards the Huminisation of Birth: a Study of Epidural Analgesia and Hospital Birth Culture.
Further reading:
- Newnham (2015) Birth control: Power/knowledge in the politics of birth.
- Newnham (2017) Paradox of the institution: findings from a hospital labour ward ethnography.
- Newnham (2017) ‘It's your body, but…’ Mixed messages in childbirth education: Findings from a hospital ethnography.
EDIT: In the episode we've stated incorrectly that dr. Newnham works at Queensland University. This is not the case. She works at Griffith University, which is in Queensland.
Contractions is produced by Rodante van der Waal and Vinny Taylor.
Contact: Rodantevanderwaal@gmail.com