Review of Wombs in Labor

Journal of Medical Ethics, 2020

Throughout most of human history women have been defined by their biological role in reproduction, seen first and foremost as gestators, which has led to the reproductive system being subjected to outside interference. The womb was perceived as dangerous and an object which husbands, doctors and the state had a legitimate interest in controlling. In this article, we consider how notions of conflict surrounding the womb have endured over time. We demonstrate how concerns seemingly generated by the invisibility of reproduction and the inaccessibility of the womb have translated into similar arguments for controlling women, as technology increases the accessibility of the female body and the womb. Developments in reproductive medicine, from in vitro fertilisation (IVF) to surrogacy, have enabled women and men who would otherwise have been childless to become parents. Uterus transplants and 'artificial wombs' could provide additional alternatives to natural gestation. An era of 'womb technology' dawns. Some argue that such technology providing an alternative to 'natural' gestation could be a source of liberation for female persons because reproduction will no longer be something necessarily confined to the female body. 'Womb technology', however, also has the potential to exacerbate the labelling of the female body as a source of danger and an 'imperfect' site of gestation, thus replaying rudimentary and regressive arguments about controlling female behaviour. We argue that pernicious narratives about control, conflict and the womb must be addressed in the face of these technological developments. 'As all historians know, the past is a great darkness, and filled with echoes.'

Best Practice in Labour and Delivery

Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, & Neonatal Nursing, 1996

This article focuses on the primary clinical issues during the second stage of labor: diagnosis, duration, maternal bearing-down efforts, and fetal descent, and ways to help women with their expulsive efforts during this time. A pattern of progression for the second stage/expulsive phase of labor is presented, with an emphasis on the importance of delaying direction to or encouragement of the woman to push until the obstetric conditions are optimal for descent and the women has entered the active phase of the second stage. Ongoing assessment of fetal status and descent, the quality of uterine contractions, and maternal condition are emphasized, rather than arbitrary time limits for the second stage. The use of various care practices, including maternal position and alternative bearingdown techniques, which optimize maternal and fetal outcomes, is described. Finally, women's concerns about this major life experience are considered in the context of the care that they receive during the second stage of labor.JOCNN, 25,415-423; Diagnosis Onset at complete dilation. This criterion requires that a woman be examined vaginally and found to be com-June 1YYG

Obstetrical & Gynecological Survey, 2010

OBJECTIVE: To examine labor patterns in a large population and to explore an alternative approach for diagnosing abnormal labor progression.

International Journal of Health Science and Technology, 2021

Background: Each pregnant woman desires normal labor and the trust from health staffs and the support from other people. This literature review is to determine the experiences of pregnant women at labor process. Aim: Knowing the psychological and support of pregnant women. Methods: Five stages were used to conduct a scoping review. The stages include identifying research questions, identifying relevant studies, selecting studies, charting data and compiling, summarizing and reporting the results. Result: the experience of giving birth in pregnant women includes experiences related to the knowledge and information received by them, adjustment, fears, hopes, readiness for childbirth, support from family and husbands. The information given can become the answer on the question and assist women in managing their mind, better understanding, and the support from other people. Conclucion: Interestingly, it was found that the women wanted a normal delivery and the trust of a health worker...

Labor is defined as the process by which the fetus is expelled from the uterus. More specifically, labor requires regular, effective contractions that lead to dilation and effacement of the cervix. This chapter describes the physiology and normal characteristics of term labor and delivery.

The articles in thisjournal are peer reviewed.