Cognition, Risk, and Responsibility in Obstetrics: Anthropological Analyses and Critiques of Obstetricians' Practices

Volume 2 of The Anthropology of Obstetrics and Obstetricians explores cognition, risk, and responsibility in obstetrics, including social science analyses of Swiss, Chilean, Mexican, US, Greek, and Irish obstetrics and obstetricians. It also discusses the overuse of cesareans, the 4 Stages of Cognition, and why obstetricians fear home birth.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 324 pages
Publication date: 11 June 2023
Publisher: Berghahn Books

The Anthropology of Obstetrics and Obstetricians: The Practice, Maintenance, and Reproduction of a Biomedical Profession, Volume 2, delves into the realm of cognition, risk, and responsibility within the field of obstetrics. This comprehensive volume presents social science analyses of obstetrics practices in various countries, including Switzerland, Chile, Mexico, the United States, Greece, and Ireland. It specifically focuses on the overuse of cesareans, exploring the reasons behind this phenomenon. Additionally, the book includes a chapter on the 4 Stages of Cognition and Substage, which elucidate how these concepts apply to obstetricians. Furthermore, it addresses the fear that obstetricians have towards home births, shedding light on the underlying factors that contribute to this apprehension.

This book is an invaluable resource for students, social scientists, and all maternity care practitioners who aim to gain a deeper understanding of the diverse ideologies and motivations that drive obstetricians in their practice. By examining the decision-making rationales of doctors and considering their fear-based perspectives on risk and responsibility, alongside the concerns raised by scholars and activists, this book facilitates systemic changes that promote safer and more equitable maternity care.

An excerpt from Vania Smith-Oka and Lydia Dixon's chapter:

"For systemic changes to occur, we must understand doctors' decision-making rationales and take their fear-based perspectives about risk and responsibility into account. At the same time, we must pay attention to the concerns raised by scholars and activists. Only by embracing a holistic approach that considers both the clinical and ethical dimensions of obstetrics can we strive towards a more compassionate and informed approach to maternity care."

Weight: 496g
Dimension: 151 x 230 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781800738331