Spirituality and Childbirth

Highlighting aspects of birth often taken for granted, ignored or left silenced, this book questions the art and meaning of childbirth. Addressing spirituality in and around the start of life from a variety of thought-provoking perspectives, it examines the apparent paradox of impersonal biomedical-technocratic systems operating alongside the meaningful experiences encountered by those involved. Themes covered include:
Notions of holism and spirituality, culture, religion and spirituality
Childbirth significance at societal level
Spiritual care in maternity care provision
Birth environment, mood, space and place
Spiritual experience of all those involved, including health professionals
Spiritual experience when birth is complex and challenging
When birth and death are juxtaposed.
Although there is considerable literature on spirituality at the end of life, this is the only book that draws together a global and multidisciplinary selection of academic researchers and practitioners to reflect on spirituality at the start of life. Each chapter explores the relevant theoretical background and makes links to practice, using case studies from research and practice. The chapters conclude by discussing: how spiritual care is, and should be, provided in this context; what practice approaches are beneficial; cross-cultural perspectives; and future directions for research. It is an important read for all those interested in childbirth, maternity care, social science perspectives on health and illness, and spirituality.

Susan Crowther is Professor of Midwifery at Robert Gordon University, UK. Jenny Hall is Senior Lecturer in Midwifery at Bournemouth University, UK.

List of figures and tables Notes on contributors Foreword Acknowledgements Part I: Setting the context Chapter 1: Introduction Susan Crowther and Jenny Hall Chapter 2: Childbirth as a sacred celebration Susan Crowther Chapter 3: Ritual and art in a philosophy of birth Anna Hennessey Part II: Spirituality and the childbirth year Chapter 4: Pregnancy and the unborn child Jenny Hall Chapter 5: Spiritual questions during childbearing Ingela Lundgren Chapter 6: Pregnancy loss and complexity Joan Gabrielle Lalor Chapter 7: Holding sacred space in labour and birth Céline Lemay and Carolyn Hastie Chapter 8: Couples' spiritual experiences at birth Jenny Parratt Chapter 9: Spiritual obstetrics Alison Barratt Chapter 10: Growth and renewal through traumatic birth Gill Thomson Chapter 11: Spirituality when a newborn is unwell Sílvia Caldeira Chapter 12: Parenthood and spirituality José Miguel de Angulo and Luz Stella Losada Part III: Pulling the threads together Chapter 13: Conclusion: 'there is something going on at birth!' Jenny Hall and Susan Crowther Index