New research project: Digitising Reproduction

Digitizing Reproduction: new technologies, intersectionality and the politics of inclusion is a new media project of academics from midwifery, sociology, media studies, science and technology studies, and more. It asks how new digital health practices in reproductive health are impacting outcomes at user and health services levels. The network connects researchers from the University of Leicester, … Read more

New Videos

This week we are proud to announce that there are not one, not two, and not even three, but four new videos up on our Youtube channel. Below you can hear:

– Dr Frances Badger recount the tragic story of the Ramsbottom family following a maternal death;

– Dr Frances Badger tell the (happier) stories of Leah and Susannah;

– Dr Adrian Wilson discuss biblical allusions to childbirth, particularly in the Book of Genesis;

– Dr Adrian Wilson analyse Percival Willughby’s views on the uncertainties of childbirth.

Don’t forget to subscribe, comment, and share with anyone who might be interested in our series of Birth Stories.

Risk, Ideology, and ‘Normal Birth’

On Saturday 12 August 2017, The Times published a piece by Chris Smyth on changing attitudes towards terms such as ‘normal birth’ in the UK, which has sparked a chain of letters to the editor, a controversy in the blogosphere, and a range of follow-up articles from publications like The Guardian and the Evening Standard. … Read more

Birth and Midwifery in the Media

Below are links to two comparatively recent articles on birth and midwifery which may be of interest to our network. The first is a reflection on the liminal state of (non-)pregnancy, particularly in its earlier stages. Second, there is a link to an article which juxtaposes ancient and modern approaches to midwifery. This blog post … Read more