Women, providers, and control

Childbirth in America is dominated by a management perspective that emphasizes the efficient removal of a fetus from a woman's body. This article discusses the obvious and not so obvious ways that routine American management of childbirth systematically strips women of power and control. It is argued that, although providers may be well-meaning and nurturing in their care of childbearing women, their approach is most often nurturing to weakness, rather than strength.