Pregnancy and Birth in Russia: The Struggle for "Good Care"

This book examines the struggle for maternity care in contemporary Russia, framed by changes to the healthcare system and the roles of its participants after socialism. It highlights the opportunities and barriers for good care in the context of post-socialist Russia and will be of interest to medical anthropologists, sociologists, midwives, and other health professionals.

Format: Hardback
Length: 170 pages
Publication date: 11 November 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive book delves into the intricate and multifaceted struggle for maternity care in contemporary Russia, intricately woven with the profound changes brought about by the transition from socialism to a market-oriented healthcare system. It offers a theoretically and empirically grounded examination of this critical issue, framed by the evolving roles of healthcare system participants and the structural and institutional pressures they face.

The chapters in this book explore a wide range of perspectives and interactions between women and healthcare professionals, shedding light on the complex dynamics that shape their experiences. They examine the structural and institutional pressures that women encounter as they strive for better conditions and treatment, highlighting the challenges they face in navigating a healthcare system that combines elements of legacy Soviet paternalism, medicalization, bureaucratic principles of state regulation, and global neoliberal tendencies.

Maternity care professionals in Russia are tasked with the challenging responsibility of meeting the growing needs and demands of women while also navigating an increasingly stringent state regulative control, market demands, and new professional standards of care. This requires them to perform in multiple roles, bridge organizational gaps, and inconsistencies, making the field of struggle for good care both professional and political in nature.

The book highlights the opportunities and barriers for good care in the context of post-socialist Russia, providing valuable insights for medical anthropologists, sociologists, midwives, and other health professionals. It sheds light on the complex interplay between healthcare systems, social structures, and cultural norms, and explores the ways in which these factors shape women's experiences during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care.

By examining the challenges and complexities faced by maternity care professionals and women in Russia, this book contributes to our understanding of the broader social and political implications of healthcare reform in post-socialist societies. It offers valuable lessons for policymakers, healthcare providers, and advocates working to improve maternal health outcomes and ensure that women receive the care they deserve.

Weight: 500g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367688950