Giving Birth: Power, Violence and Pleasure

Two types of personalities emerged from the responses of women to the author’s fascinating questionnaire concerning their expectations and experience. On the one hand, a majority of them wish, above all, to be mentored when they are giving birth; they feel more secure in the framework of an institution such as a hospital. On the other hand, there are “dissidents,” who seek to thoroughly experience the delivery of their babies and to feel its full power. For the latter, the intimacy of their own home and the support of their loved ones play an essential part in an event they perceive as filled with initiatory potential.

Whether they delivered at home or in a medical institution, the responses of these 300 mothers reveal both the sexual dimension of giving birth and the widespread taboo surrounding this aspect, even for those who acknowledge having experienced pleasure or orgasms during the birth process.

A further revelation: the environment where women give birth impacts various elements that are rarely taken into consideration, such as their self-image, the relationship with their partner, or the time needed to regain a fulfilling sex life.

These statements also tell of the exceptional love encounter occurring between a woman and her baby in the moments following delivery, and how this crucial moment affects the mother-child relationship and conditions the future of both of them and their relationship.

Giving Birth: Power, Violence and Pleasure also highlights the violence inflicted on women (often well-intended) within the framework of standard medical child delivery. It will surely challenge future parents as well as many health practitioners.

Enriched with an international directory providing useful addresses: the MamaScope.

Foreword by Michel Odent, M.D. Afterword by Ina May Gaskin. Illustrations by Lucile Gomez.