Restoring the Sacred Part of Birth

Doula Care and Cesarean Birth in Switzerland

Bibliographic Data

ID4564343
AuthorsCaroline Chautems (0000-0002-5633-6078, University of Lausanne, corresponding author)
Year2022
Volume41
Issue5
Pages560-573
Publication date2022-07-04
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueMedical Anthropology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0145-9740 • E-ISSN: 1545-5882
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/01459740.2022.2098492
PMID35819827
OpenAlexW4285076912
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited35

At 32.3%, Switzerland ranks among countries with the highest rates of cesarean deliveries in Europe. Because cesareans generally negatively influence the birth experience, parents turn to holistic therapists to heal somatic and emotional disorders not addressed by standard biomedical follow-ups. Doula care is still emerging in Switzerland. Although doulas are not allowed in the operation rooms, they support parents before birth and during the postpartum period. They aim at improving the birth experience by restoring intimate, "sacred" elements of birth through symbolic and spiritual practices. Based on interviews with doulas, I explore their experiences and practices regarding surgical birth

Childbirth · Maternity care · Obstetrics · Pregnancy · Maternal and Perinatal Health Interventions · Medicine · Nursing · Psychology

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Open DOIOpen Access