Review by Choice Review
This worthwhile, grounded study features women's stories, a historical perspective, the recognition of power, and the possibility of change. Haltinner (Univ. of Idaho) appropriately utilizes Michel Foucault's theories to emphasize three key elements of time, space, and routine that contribute to women's traumatic birth experiences. The self-identified women from the rural northwestern US with whom Haltinner spoke give voice to their perceived trauma due to their lack of control, which shines a negative light on providers and the larger health care system against a backdrop of patriarchy, violence, hatred, support, and invisibility. The author presents Finland's structure of government-funded obstetric care and Germany's postpartum mental health support to underscore the need for social change in the US through free universal health coverage along with reforms to address mental health, family leave, and other changes to health care. A few areas of the text needed more emphasis, such as the significance of malpractice on US obstetrical care. Additionally, as a female registered nurse/nurse educator, this reviewer would be remiss if she failed to mention that nurses are not merely "other medical staff," as the text indicates. Nursing is its own profession, predominately female, and it certainly fits within a power discourse on health care. Summing Up: Recommended. General readers through faculty; professionals. --Julie Ann Clawson, emerita, University of Central Missouri
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
