Chapter 7 Women, Health and Reproduction

Please Note:  These slides are meant to help students think about the material. They are not meant to replace reading the material or taking notes. Using these slides as your only means of garnering information could harm your ability to understand the content of this class.  Please turn off cell phones, MP3 players and other technology of which I’m unaware.

Male as Norm  1) In the health profession, men are treated as the norm and women as the aberration Menstruation as deviantMenstruation as deviant Health problems seen from male perspectiveHealth problems seen from male perspective Home not seen as unsafeHome not seen as unsafe

White Middle Class Women as Norm  1) Access to birth control seen more important than rights to raise children  2) AIDS not seen as important….

Men Supposed to be Virile  1) Viagra passed quickly  2) No birth control for men.

Women Associated with Womb. Womb is supposed to be passive  1) Protective Legislation  2) Discussion of sex  3) Discussion of reproduction  4) Vulva vs. Vagina  5) Medical Model vs Midwivery – What happened?

Childbirth: Pregnancy  Passive Model Women don’t think exercise important Women don’t think exercise important Lots of Tests and don’t know why. Lots of Tests and don’t know why. Less fit you are, more likely problems will occur. Less fit you are, more likely problems will occur.  Active Model Women stay active Yoga; swimming; walking Decide on Tests Birth Plan Midwife

Childbirth: Labor  Passive Model Interventions are more likely to lead to more interventions Interventions are more likely to lead to more interventions Inductions Inductions Pain increasesPain increases Lie down. Lie down. Fetal Monitor Fetal Monitor IV IV Epidural Epidural  Active Model Stay Active Don’t rush Yoga Waterbirth Doula

Childbirth: Delivery  Passive Model Lying on back – worst position Lying on back – worst position Episiotomy (90%) Episiotomy (90%) Caesarian (25%); forceps, suction (increases Cerebral Palsy) Caesarian (25%); forceps, suction (increases Cerebral Palsy)  Active Model Squatting, Kneeling Waterbirth

Partner’s Role in Childbirth  Advocate  Helper

Breastfeeding  Why don’t women choose it? Meaning of Breast Meaning of Breast Work Work