Birthing on one's own terms: Reframing delivery mode choice within reproductive justice in Switzerland

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Main Author: Caroline Chautems
Format: Artículo Open Access
Published: Wiley 2025
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author Caroline Chautems
author_facet Caroline Chautems
Caroline Chautems
collection Wiley Open Access
contents Birthing on one's own terms: Reframing delivery mode choice within reproductive justice in Switzerland Caroline Chautems Feminist Anthropology Abstract A core principle of reproductive justice (RJ) is the right to have children under one's chosen conditions, emphasizing bodily autonomy. While RJ focuses on equitable access to parenthood, the choice of delivery mode is rarely analyzed through this lens. Some forgo parenthood rather than give birth vaginally; others prioritize vaginal birth despite medical indications for a cesarean. In response, a growing number of obstetricians acknowledge the importance of self‐determination in decision‐making once parents are adequately informed. However, others refuse to consider rationales beyond strictly evidence‐based medicine, sometimes leading to forms of informal coercion. Based on ethnographic research in two Swiss public hospitals and interviews with parents and obstetricians, I examine parents’ trajectories and interactions with healthcare providers. I argue for reframing delivery mode choice within an RJ framework and propose radical compassion as a means to advance RJ in this context. 10.1002/fea2.70021 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
doi_str_mv 10.1002/fea2.70021
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publishDate 2025
publisher Wiley
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spellingShingle Birthing on one's own terms: Reframing delivery mode choice within reproductive justice in Switzerland
Caroline Chautems
Feminist Anthropology
Birthing on one's own terms: Reframing delivery mode choice within reproductive justice in Switzerland Caroline Chautems Feminist Anthropology Abstract A core principle of reproductive justice (RJ) is the right to have children under one's chosen conditions, emphasizing bodily autonomy. While RJ focuses on equitable access to parenthood, the choice of delivery mode is rarely analyzed through this lens. Some forgo parenthood rather than give birth vaginally; others prioritize vaginal birth despite medical indications for a cesarean. In response, a growing number of obstetricians acknowledge the importance of self‐determination in decision‐making once parents are adequately informed. However, others refuse to consider rationales beyond strictly evidence‐based medicine, sometimes leading to forms of informal coercion. Based on ethnographic research in two Swiss public hospitals and interviews with parents and obstetricians, I examine parents’ trajectories and interactions with healthcare providers. I argue for reframing delivery mode choice within an RJ framework and propose radical compassion as a means to advance RJ in this context. 10.1002/fea2.70021 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
title Birthing on one's own terms: Reframing delivery mode choice within reproductive justice in Switzerland
topic Feminist Anthropology
url https://anthrosource.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/fea2.70021