Female body Quote by Ina May Gaskin
““The techno-medical model of maternity care, unlike the midwifery model, is comparatively new on the world scene, having existed for barely two centuries. This male-derived framework for care is a product of the industrial revolution. As anthropologist Robbie Davis-Floyd has described in detail, underlying the technocratic mode of care of our own time is an assumption that the human body is a machine and that the female body in particular is a machine full of shortcomings and defects. Pregnancy and labor are seen as illnesses, which, in order not to be harmful to mother or baby, must be treated with drugs and medical equipment. Within the techno-medical model of birth, some medical intervention is considered necessary for every birth, and birth is safe only in retrospect.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Birth Matters, Ina May Gaskin, 2005
The modern medical model treats birth as a disease, ignoring women's natural capabilities and leading to unnecessary interventions.
In simple terms: Medical view sees birth as disease, causing excess intervention.
Key Takeaway
Respect natural birth processes.
Themes
healthcare
maternal health
technology
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
analytical
advocacy
When to use this quote
- prenatal care
- midwifery training
- policy advocacy
Key Concepts
medicalization
female autonomy
birth practices
Questions to Reflect On
- How can healthcare honor both safety and natural processes?
- What reforms could reduce unnecessary interventions?
A Different Perspective
Balancing safety with autonomy is complex.
