Medicalization involves taking something that is a normal part of life experience and making it a medical problem, especially one that requires treatment. This happens quite often, especially in the Western world, but there is no more obvious example than the medicalization of pregnancy and childbirth. This is not to say that there are no benefits to seeking medical care during pregnancy and childbirth, but rather that it is something that is a part of daily life, and has been for the duration of the human existence, is not considered something that requires medical attention. This is clear from the reaction we can imagine if someone said they were about to give birth and had not even seen an obstetrician, which would have been commonplace in the past (due to the lack of formal medical care), would now be considered shocking and probably negligent. This paradigm shift brings additional costs and potential stressors, but can also bring many benefits. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get the original essay To understand this change, we need to look at “normal” childbirth, both in the past and in the present. Since colonial America, childbirth was not the domain of doctors. Instead, “midwives handled most deliveries.” These midwives were actually supposed to attend births for both the rich and the poor. No doctors have been involved, but we are seeing low mortality and low infection rates. (M&T 155) Beginning in the 17th and 18th centuries, medical interventions during pregnancy began to become much more routine. By 1710 in England, gynecology and obstetrics were beginning to be recognized as a medical specialty and childbirths were assisted, first at home, then in hospitals over time, at least for the wealthy. (M&T 155) Before the turn of the 20th century, high rates of maternal mortality led to childbirth being viewed as dangerous, leading to a decline in the use of midwives and home births. In 1935, 75% of births in the United States took place in a hospital, and that rate rose to 95% by 1960. (M&T 155) Today we are seeing a slight increase in unassisted births, but in 2011, only about 10% of births were attended by midwives, of which only 1% took place outside of a hospital in the United States and Canada in 2009. (M&T 155) As we have Seen, modern childbirth almost exclusively takes place in a medical facility, under the supervision of a doctor. healthcare professional (usually a doctor). Although more basic traditions, such as encouraging pregnant women to move and walk to speed up the early stages of labor, still exist, as the process progresses they are confined to a bed, with equipment attached to monitor the fetus, and an IV in place. (M&T 156.7) If labor takes too long, medications may be used to speed up the process. The amniotic sac can also be punctured for the same reason. Additionally, painkillers may be given, either IV or epidural, to relieve the pain experienced during childbirth. (M&T 157) If labor continues to drag on, more advanced medical interventions may be necessary, including surgical delivery, by cesarean section. (M&T 157) If problems ariseDuring childbirth, a doctor may employ different methods to facilitate the process, such as using a vacuum cleaner or forceps to ease the passage of the head and shoulders through the birth canal. Another routine treatment is an episiotomy, an incision in the perineum to prevent tearing. After delivery, the umbilical cord is cut and the placenta is delivered and weighed. The child is then cleaned, weighed, measured and his vital signs are checked. Complications can be treated by prolonged hospitalization of the mother or child. (M&T 157) The cesarean section itself is an excellent example of the medicalization of childbirth. A cesarean section, or C-section, is the surgical removal of the child through a 4- to 6-inch incision in the mother's abdomen to access the uterus and the fetus residing there. (M&T 157) Something that would have been unheard of in the days of midwifery is now so common that in 2012, 32% of deliveries ended by cesarean section in the United States (M&T 158). Although some of these may be necessary, due to complications related to fetal position or other problems that may arise, it has been suggested that rates above 25% indicate "defensive medicine" which may be designed more to protect the doctor and the establishment rather than the patient(s). (M&% 158) As we have seen, the old midwifery system did not seem to cause harm, so why did the basic act of childbirth become such a medical condition? The answer can be explained by a simple question: "What if something goes wrong?" » (M&T 158) This thought is certainly terrifying for any expectant parent. And there is no doubt that the hospital is the best place to be if something goes wrong during childbirth. Having critical care for mom and baby just steps from your home provides a security blanket that can never be matched outside of a medical facility. But there is a cost. For starters, mother and child may miss out on vital bonding time due to medical evaluations being performed. The benefits of the bond between mom and baby should not be taken for granted. It has been stated that "there is a sensitive period in the first minutes and hours of life during which it is necessary for the mother and father to have close contact with the newborn for its further development to be optimal." (B&B 392.3)There is also the financial cost. It's no secret that babies are expensive, and often, it's not something that is fully realized with careful analysis. A home birth can cost around $5,000 (moneycrashers), while an uncomplicated vaginal birth in a hospital can cost around $9,600. A C-section could cost $15,800. (WebMD) It's important to note that medical insurance is much more likely to pay for part of a hospital or home birth. Today, no one would dream of complaining about the costs associated with the safe delivery of their child, especially in a society where we tend to believe that “health depends above all on the intervention of a doctor ". (B&B 67)We also tend to believe that “the essential condition for health is the early detection of illness”. (B&B 67) This may explain the other aspect of the medicalization of childbirth, prenatal care. Pregnancy now revolves around appointments, tests and dietary supplements. While it's undeniable that our diets are often deficient in certain nutrients, which can contribute to a host of medical problems for the unborn child, it's disconcerting that pills are the solution of choice. Furthermore, we note the prevalence of.