Main description:

In No Perfect Birth: Trauma and Obstetric Care in the Rural United States, Kristin Haltinner examines the institutional and ideological forces that cause harm to women in childbirth in the rural United States. Interweaving the poignant and tragic stories of mothers with existing research on obstetric care and social theories, Haltinner points to how medical staff's lack of time, mother's need to navigate and traverse complex spaces, and practitioner's reliance on well-trodden obstetric routines cause unnecessary and lasting harm for women in childbirth. Additionally, Haltinner offers suggestions towards improving current practices, incorporating case models from other countries as well as mothers' embodied knowledge.

Contents:

Chapter 1: "The Most Horrible Part:" The Trauma Imposed by Time

Chapter 2: "Worse Than the Birth:" The Trauma Imposed by Space

Chapter 3: "That's Problematic:" The Trauma Imposed by Routine

Chapter 4: "Open Your Legs:" Time, Space, Routine and Obstetric Violence

Chapter 5: "We Perpetuate the Patriarchy:" The Trauma Imposed by Societal Knowledge

Chapter 6: "I Just Hated Him:" The Impact of Trauma on Women's Relationships

Chapter 7: "He Was So Supportive:" Using Power and Restructuring Obstetric Care

Conclusion: Changing Knowledge