Overview

Childbirth is often assumed to be a natural process, and yet the choices we make, risks we face, and care available to us around birth are entirely bound up in the dynamics of the system we live in: capitalism. In fact, capitalist relations shape childbirth in ways that are largely unacknowledged, but with intensely inequitable and often traumatic effects. Going into Labour fills a void in the literature around both childbirth and reproductive rights, presenting a Marxist analysis of the labour of childbirth. Through each chapter, former midwife Anna Fielder interrogates and unpacks some of the key features of contemporary childbirth, and ultimately situates birth as a key site of anti-capitalist struggle. Fielder delves into the 'natural' birth movement; the increasing engagement of women of colour, working-class women, transgender and non-binary gendered people in the politics of birth; the pay and working conditions of caregivers such as midwives and nurses; and the sharp contrast between proliferating rates of caesarean section in the West, and a lack of access to the same (at times lifesaving) form of surgery elsewhere.

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9780745349497

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Reviews

'Anna Fielder's nuanced analysis denaturalises human biological reproduction and demonstrates the contradictory features of obstetrics in capitalist society. Going into Labour is a pivotal addition to Marxist understandings of pregnancy and childbirth.' Kirstin Munro, Assistant Professor of Economics, The New School for Social Research 'I have never seen a book that applies Marxist theories and capitalism to childbirth. This book is entirely original and a fascinating read!' Robbie Davis-Floyd, cultural, medical and reproductive anthropologist

'Anna Fielder's nuanced analysis denaturalises human biological reproduction and demonstrates the contradictory features of obstetrics in capitalist society.' Kirstin Munro, Assistant Professor of Economics, The New School for Social Research 'This insightful, thoughtful work needs to be read by all of us who are interested in contemporary childbirth practices. Anna Fielder has brought together the two concepts of labour - work, and giving birth - and shows us how both are subsumed under capitalism' Barbara Katz Rothman, author of In Labor: Women and Power in the Birthplace 'I have never seen a book that applies Marxist theories and capitalism to childbirth. This book is entirely original and a fascinating read!' Robbie Davis-Floyd, cultural, medical and reproductive anthropologist

'This insightful, thoughtful work needs to be read by all of us who are interested in contemporary childbirth practices. Anna Fielder has brought together the two concepts of labour - work, and giving birth - and shows us how both are subsumed under capitalism' -- Barbara Katz Rothman, author of <i>In Labor: Women and Power in the Birthplace</i> 'I have never seen a book that applies Marxist theories and capitalism to childbirth. This book is entirely original and a fascinating read!' -- Robbie Davis-Floyd, cultural, medical and reproductive anthropologist 'Fielder does indeed peel back the layers to reveal how capitalism shapes childbirth. It is refreshing, unique and provides a missing piece in birth scholarship and challenges us to be part of the 'collective push to justice and equity'' -- Judith McAra-Couper, Head of School of Clinical Sciences, Auckland University of Technology 'A pivotal addition to Marxist understandings of pregnancy and childbirth. Fielder's nuanced analysis denaturalises human biological reproduction and demonstrates the contradictory features of obstetrics in capitalist society.' -- Kirstin Munro, Assistant Professor of Economics, The New School for Social Research 'Anna Fielder has written the book which midwives and birth activists have long needed as we have struggled with the cumulative damage wrought to birthing environments internationally under the lethal regime of neoliberal capitalism. The resulting acute global shortage of midwives, increasing trauma for women, rising rates of illness and death for the poorest and most marginalised, and the endless nightmare of giving birth in conditions of war and genocide should have every single one of us out on the streets in protest. This book gives us the analytical tools we require to do so effectively' -- Jo Murphy-Lawless, Centre for Health Evaluation, University of Galway

Author Information

Anna Fielder is a sociologist in the Midwifery Department, Auckland University of Technology.

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