Introduction

Abstract

This volume explores the cultural, social, political, and economic dimensions of birth, emphasizing its centrality in societal organization. The essays, written by diverse scholars, examine themes like local representations of pregnancy, birth preparation, and medical technology use. The volume highlights contrasting birth models and the impact of health policies and legal systems. It revisits critical debates from the 1970s and 1980s, advocating for a birth model centered on the mother’s and child’s health.