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Touch during childbirth: yesterday and today
1Jewish Museum, London, UK. maklein@klein2.freeserve.co.uk
The Israel Medical Association Journal : IMAJ
|April 5, 2003
Summary
Birth attendants use various physical and verbal touches to ensure safe deliveries. This historical review encourages modern medical staff to embrace the art of touch, enhancing patient care.
Area of Science:
- Medical Humanities
- History of Medicine
- Sociology of Health
Background:
- Birth attendants have historically employed diverse tactile and verbal methods during childbirth.
- The role of touch in the parturient experience is influenced by cultural and religious beliefs, such as the Jewish tradition of divine partnership in birth.
Observation:
- Physical touch is crucial for diagnosis and facilitating safe delivery.
- Non-physical touch, including verbal communication and spiritual hope, also plays a significant role.
- Historical practices highlight the multifaceted nature of touch in assisting childbirth.
Findings:
- The paper examines the evolution of touch in birth assistance across different historical periods.
- It identifies both instrumental (diagnostic, manipulative) and expressive (comforting, spiritual) uses of touch by birth attendants.
- Jewish tradition illustrates a unique perspective where divine intervention is considered a form of touch in birth.
Implications:
- Encourages contemporary birth attendants, including doctors and midwives, to reflect on their own use of touch.
- Promotes awareness of the non-verbal and verbal language of touch in clinical practice.
- Advocates for integrating the 'art of touch' alongside advanced scientific techniques to improve patient care and the birthing experience.