What is the medicalization of childbirth?
By the 17th century, pregnancy and birth became a point of interest by the emerging medical community, starting what is now coined as the ‘medicalization of childbirth. ‘ By the early 20th century, most births, normal and complicated, became medicalized in developed countries.
Why did birth become Medicalised?
Justification for the medicalisation of birth Several explanations have been put forward to justify the medicalisation of childbirth. Concerns with safety, defensive medical practice and the concept of women’s choice are particularly significant.
What is the process of medicalization?
Medicalization or medicalisation (see spelling differences) is the process by which human conditions and problems come to be defined and treated as medical conditions, and thus become the subject of medical study, diagnosis, prevention, or treatment.
Is childbirth a medical condition?
The medical model considers childbirth an illness, the outcome is measured in perinatal and maternal mortality rates and the mother is a passive patient. The normal life event model considers childbirth a normal process, the outcome is measured in holistic terms and the mother is an active participant.
What are some examples of medicalization?
Examples of medicalized disorders include menopause, alcoholism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anorexia, infertility, sleep disorders, and erectile dysfunction (ED) [3].
Is medicalization good or bad?
Defining Medicalization According to Conrad and colleagues [3], medicalization, like globalization or secularization, is neither good nor bad; it merely notes that a condition has come under medical jurisdiction.
When did birth become Medicalised?
1800s
The Emergence of Medicalized Birth By the late 1800s, advances in pain relief, antiseptic and aseptic surgical practices, and surgical techniques and outcomes—alongside a rapid rise in people’s faith in scientific medicine—helped accelerate a transition to hospital childbirth.
What is medicalization What is an example of medicalization?
For example, while infertility has been common throughout history, the rise of drugs and technological procedures to treat infertility has led to an explosion in infertility diagnoses. It is now a medical condition that can be treated, an example of medicalization.
What is PDL leave?
In general, pregnancy disability leave ( PDL ) is the leave a woman takes while she is disabled by her pregnancy or the childbirth.
How long is pregnancy leave in California?
Effective January 1, 2021, most employers in California will now have to provide up to 12 weeks of unpaid family and medical leave to employees for qualifying reasons. This is on top of four months of pregnancy disability leave, which employers with five or more employees must already provide to qualifying employees.
Which is an example of medicalization?
Medicalization of Normal Health Variants For example, while infertility has been common throughout history, the rise of drugs and technological procedures to treat infertility has led to an explosion in infertility diagnoses. It is now a medical condition that can be treated, an example of medicalization.
