Partial Stories: Maternal Death from Six Angles

In Malawi, one in twelve women died from pregnancy or childbirth complications by the early twenty-first century. Claire L. Wendland's book Partial Stories examines explanations for maternal death, revealing how they reflect competing visions of the past and shared concerns about social change. She argues that efforts to legitimate a single story as the authoritative version can render care more dangerous.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 384 pages
Publication date: 09 February 2022
Publisher: The University of Chicago Press

In the early twenty-first century, Malawi witnessed a tragic reality where approximately one woman in twelve faced the devastating consequence of pregnancy or childbirth complications, marking a significant loss of life. These specific deaths became poignant examples, serving as a catalyst for the circulation of explanatory stories within hospitals and villages. These narratives, embraced by a diverse range of practitioners, including nurse-midwives, traditional birth attendants, doctors, epidemiologists, and herbalists, sought to unravel the underlying causes of these tragic events. The questions that swirled were manifold: Was biology to blame? Was economic underdevelopment the culprit? Were immoral behaviors responsible? Or was tradition to blame? Did the deceased themselves bear any responsibility?

In her insightful book, Partial Stories, Claire L. Wendland delves into these explanations for maternal death, exploring how they reflect contrasting visions of the past and shared concerns about social change. Through extensive fieldwork, Wendland unveils the intricate dynamics that emerge when efforts are made to establish a single story as the authoritative version, inadvertently making care more perilous than it could be.

Historical, biological, technological, ethical, statistical, and political perspectives on death typically circulate within distinct expert communities and various bodies of literature. In this book, Wendland brings these perspectives together, shedding light on the dilemmas of maternity care in contexts characterized by acute change, chronic scarcity, and enduring inequity within Malawi and beyond.

By examining these multifaceted perspectives, Wendland offers a comprehensive analysis of the complex factors contributing to maternal deaths in Malawi. She challenges the notion that any single explanation can fully account for the multifaceted nature of these tragedies. Instead, she advocates for a nuanced understanding that recognizes the interdependence of various factors and the need for a holistic approach to addressing maternal health challenges.

Partial Stories is a valuable contribution to the field of medical knowledge, shedding light on the complexities of maternal health and mortality in developing countries. It prompts us to reflect on the broader societal and cultural factors that shape these outcomes and to explore innovative solutions that prioritize the well-being of women and their families. Through her meticulous research and thoughtful analysis, Wendland provides a roadmap for policymakers, healthcare professionals, and community leaders to address the urgent challenges facing maternal health in Malawi and beyond.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780226816883