Birthing environments: Fiona. I'd like to add some more information. The Inuit Women's Association in Canada (Paukttutit, 200 Elgin St. Suite 804, Ottawa Ontario K2P 1L5, Canada) has a lot of information about traditional birthing practices and their campaign to bring back community birthing to the Canadian Arctic. They also produced a video (which I co-directed) that documents this work. It's called Ikajurti: Midwifery in the Canadian Arctic, and while made in 1990, I think it's still very relevant. On Wed, 20 Mar 1996 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > ECOFEM Digest 411 > > Topics covered in this issue include: > > 1) Birthing environments > by Fiona Chambers <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > 2) Re: Birthing environments > by [EMAIL PROTECTED] > 3) A reading..... > by Richard Twine <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > 4) Re: unecological computers > by jivan <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > 5) Re: Birthing environments > by [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Naseem Rakha) > 6) Re: unecological computers > by "Jackie Van Brocklin" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > 7) Conference announcement/fwd > by "STEFANIE S. RIXECKER" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > 8) Re: Birthing environments > by [EMAIL PROTECTED] > 9) Re: unecological computers > by Richard Twine <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > 10) > by [EMAIL PROTECTED] > 11) Conference Annoucement (fwd) > by "STEFANIE S. RIXECKER" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Date: Tue, 19 Mar 1996 17:13:56 +1030 (CST) > From: Fiona Chambers <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: Birthing environments > Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > I am an Australian postgraduate student interested in the subject of > birthing environments, for a research project I am doing. > > I became interested in this as a result of my own birth experience (twins, > in hospital, total obstetrician(male) control, dehumanising, depressing) > and my realisation that this is not an isolated experience. So many of the > women I have spoken to in recent years have had similar experiences that I > am beginning to wonder what all this 'natural childbirth' talk has > achieved. > > It seems to me that, in hospital anyway, as soon as the first complication > arises all pretense at respect disappears, and control takes dominance. > > I now wonder if there are differences in the experiences of women giving > birth in different environments, eg at home. I suspect that I would have > felt more power in my own home, and would have found it easier to > communicate. (This would have been too dangerous for me having twins, but > maybe next time....?) > > If anyone has any interesting information for me, I would appreciate > receiving it through this service. > > Such things may include; > -Gender aspects of the various birthing environments which in Australia > might include hospital delivery suites, birthing units, homes, and those > environments chosen by aboriginal women, for example. > > -Details of where you had your children (if you have any), how it was, why > you chose that place, what were the gender aspects of that choice, etc. > > -The power relationships which exist between women in labour, and their > birth attendants. For example I am interested in the role of men as > obstetricians, and the controlling influence they have had on childbirth > over this century. > > I hope this gives you an idea of what I'm thinking about. > > I look forward to any responses, > > Fiona Chambers. > > > ------------------------------ > > Date: Tue, 19 Mar 1996 02:58:12 -0600 (CST) > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: Re: Birthing environments > Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > Fiona, there is an absolute wealth of information available to you on the > subject of the biomedical manipulation of birth and the birth experience. > As an anthropologist, I can recommend the following: > > any book by Shiela Kitzinger, a midwife-anthropologist > > Brigette Jordan, Birth in Four Cultures (Waveland, 4th edition). Brigette also > produced a wonderful film that I saw in graduate school in the '80s but I am > unable to find it for my own use with students. It shows a Mayan birth that I > will never forget. > > Emily Martin, The Woman in the Body. The classic. > > Birth Stories, whose author I cannot remember -- a collection of stories about > the birth experience. Another one I cannot remember is by a N. American > feminist who writes a diary to her infant son about her pregnancy, birth, and > his early life (including his circucision in a Jewish celebration). Perhaps > somebody else can reveal the authors of these for me. I especially loved both > these books. > > (Oddly) Jane Fonda's pregnancy workout book coauthored with Femmy Delyser is > excellent. Femmy is also a midwife. Jane Fonda's own personal experiences are > discussed in this book. > > Here's another you might enjoy, a book which details from a woman's own > perspective not only her birth experiences but her menarche, marriages, first > sexual experience, etc., in an African culture: Marjorie Shostak, Nisa. > > There are films of Kung healing that can nicely accompany the above book; these > show communal healing practices during difficult labors. > > Several nice articles about birth among Inuit and several other cultures are in > a book edited by W. Penn Handwerker (Westview) Births and Power. > > These, more from the perspective of the baby: Klaus and Kennel, Maternal > Infant Bonding, and Klaus and Klaus, The Amazing Newborn. > > Fiona, I have had three children and the range of experiences. The above books > are all wonderful and would provide you with an absolute wealth of information > about birth experiences in many kinds of cultures. I am sure > there are resources right there in Australia about birth experiences in > your country. I would ask a midwife or a natural childbirth coach for > some references or talk to women at a La Leche League chapter -- do you > have La Leche League in Australia? I'll bet the women on this e-list will > overwhelm you with resources and information themselves. > > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > ------------------------------ > > Date: Tue, 19 Mar 1996 11:30:20 GMT > From: Richard Twine <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Cc: STUDIES IN WOMEN AND ENVIRONMENT <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Subject: A reading..... > Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > "Living with Contradictions - Controversies in Feminist Social Ethics" (1994) > Edited By Alison Jagger Westview Press > > An excellent edited compilation! > A chapter entitled "Consuming Animals" and a final chapter entitled > "enviromentalism" which is basically on ecofeminism. New articles by Warren, > Kheel, Shiva, Plumwood, Plant and lots more.......... > Richard :-) > > > > ------------------------------ > > Date: Tue, 19 Mar 1996 08:58:51 -0600 (CST) > From: jivan <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: Prof Dr Renae Prell <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Subject: Re: unecological computers > Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > I sympathise with Prof Dr Renae Prell's dilemma. Every 'progress' has its 'pri > ce'. Medical miracles and population explosion. There are no free lunches. O > ne may ponder over two extremes of environmental degradation: > Extreme 1: Human started the the destruction/exploitation of the environment by > stepping out of the cave > Extreme 2: Humans and their by products (e.g. hazardous waste) are as much a pa > rt of the environment as animals and their droppings or plants and their remain > s. > Imagine each human being alloted 7 acres of land to live of without any outside > contact. Where would we be if the dinosaurs were still around? I would appreci > ate your coments. > > ------------------------------ > > Date: Tue, 19 Mar 1996 10:36:57 -0800 > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Naseem Rakha) > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: Re: Birthing environments > > >I am an Australian postgraduate student interested in the subject of > >birthing environments, for a research project I am doing. > > > >I am glad you have posted your questions. In a way I am doing my own > research on "birthing." > > I am 36, and am contemplating having a child. One of my best friends is a > midwife. For the past 17 years she has delivered thousands of babies, all > of them in the privacy and comfort of people's homes. > > She has delivered babies around the world, trying to bring back to women the > power of their own bodies. Most recently my good friend has been working > for her Nursing degree in order to become a certified nurse-midwife. > > Her stories about the mechanical "production oriented" approach to delivery > in hospitals across the world, even "enlightened" hospitals that offer cream > scented birthing rooms, are frightening. > > Of course if I decide to have a child I will give birth at home. The big > question for me is, do I have the courage to have and raise a child? But > this is another subject. > > I will be following the responses to your question closely. > > NRakha > > > ------------------------------ > > Date: Tue, 19 Mar 1996 16:44:33 CST > From: "Jackie Van Brocklin" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED], > STUDIES IN WOMEN AND ENVIRONMENT <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: Re: unecological computers > Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > I'm with you, Renae! Perhaps one day a "battery-powered" PC will be > invented, so they will be like portable phones! No, there is nothing > economic about them. They do many things well - but it's debatable > whether they are done 1) BETTER or 2) FASTER. And no - no paper is > saved - that's for sure! > > I'm not "bashing" computers, but I just think they are "over-hyped" > and do not live up to their press! Yes, I do spend so much time on > mine at work that I'm really kind of GLAD I don't have one at home; > I'd never get out of the HOUSE! And getting out of the house is what > I do BEST!!! :) > > (Going to Portland, Or. for spring break - see (read?) ya'll next > Wednesday, 27th! > > Jackie > > ------------------------------ > > Date: Wed, 20 Mar 1996 15:30:25 +1200 > From: "STEFANIE S. RIXECKER" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: Conference announcement/fwd > Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > ------- Forwarded Message Follows ------- > > WOLVES OF AMERICA > > Defenders of Wildlife is proud to present Wolves of America, a > conference on wolf biology, recovery, management and activism, > which will be held November 14-16, 1996 at the Albany Omni Hotel, > Albany, New York. For further information and registration > materials, contact Nina Fascione, Defenders of Wildlife, 1101 14th > St. NW, Suite 1400, Washington, D.C. 20005; (202) 789-2844 ext. 334; > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > CALL FOR PAPERS/POSTERS > > Defenders of Wildlife is accepting oral and poster presentation > submissions for the Wolves of America conference. Abstract > submissions must be received by 1 June 1996 and final papers must be > received by 1 September, 1996. Appropriate topics for papers > includes wolf biology, behavior, taxonomy, general ecology, recovery, > management, and economic impacts. To receive a conference > registration form and guidelines for authors, contact Nina Fascione > at Defenders of Wildlife. > > > > ************************************ > Stefanie S. Rixecker > Centre for Resource Management/ > Department of Resource Management > Lincoln University > Canterbury > Aotearoa New Zealand > E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Phone: (64) (03) 325-2811 x8377 > Fax: (64) (03) 325-3841 > ************************************ > > > ------------------------------ > > Date: Tue, 19 Mar 1996 23:55:28 -0500 > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: Re: Birthing environments > Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > HI, > > I am also very interested in this subject. I have three children. The first > was born in a hospital. I had midwives and was in a birthing room, but had > to have a caesarian in the end. The experience was demeaning and a real > feeling of loss of control over my body, but was made better by the midwife, > who stayed with me throughout. She was not only comforting, but she let me > have every opportunity to deliver the baby naturally before the caesarian. > He was just too large (over 10 lbs.) and had his head turned to one side. > > The second birth was at a midwife's home and went very easily, although there > was some intervention on the part of the midwife. She let me control much of > the birth, though. I was pleased with the experience. > > The third birth was as close to perfect as possible. It took place in my > home in a birthing tub. The midwife I had chosen had a very > non-interventionist philosophy and barely touched me during the birth. She > also did not tell me the gender of the baby, but let me find it out for > myself, first. The lighting was dim, as I wished it, and I felt that I > controlled the experience completely. As a result, I learned something > important about my own powers and abilities. I know that sounds strange, but > it even had something to do with my finally finishing my dissertation -- the > experience was such a strong learning experience. > > If you would like more information or to exchange ideas/thoughts just ask > <could be done privately if preferred>. > > I do not plan to have another baby, but if I were to decide to do so it would > never, ever be at a hospital. When you enter the hospital doors you give up > your bodily autonomy, and in a birthing situation I think you need control > over your body more than at any other time in your life. > > Louisa > > ------------------------------ > > Date: Wed, 20 Mar 1996 09:57:53 GMT > From: Richard Twine <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Cc: STUDIES IN WOMEN AND ENVIRONMENT <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Subject: Re: unecological computers > Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > > > > On Tue, 19 Mar 1996 16:44:33 CST Jackie Van Brocklin wrote: > > > From: Jackie Van Brocklin <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > Date: Tue, 19 Mar 1996 16:44:33 CST > > Subject: Re: unecological computers > > To: STUDIES IN WOMEN AND ENVIRONMENT <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > > > I'm with you, Renae! Perhaps one day a "battery-powered" PC will be > > invented, so they will be like portable phones! No, there is nothing > > economic about them. They do many things well - but it's debatable > > whether they are done 1) BETTER or 2) FASTER. And no - no paper is > > saved - that's for sure! > > > > I'm not "bashing" computers, but I just think they are "over-hyped" > > and do not live up to their press! Yes, I do spend so much time on > > mine at work that I'm really kind of GLAD I don't have one at home; > > I'd never get out of the HOUSE! And getting out of the house is what > > I do BEST!!! :) > > > > (Going to Portland, Or. for spring break - see (read?) ya'll next > > Wednesday, 27th! > > > > Jackie > Not meaning to be pedantic Jackie, but probably one of the last things we want is a > BATTERY powered computer, re:the environmental damage done by batteries. However > bearing in mind that solar power does not have to be indoors, perhaps this would be >a > better alternative. On a slightly different angle, how many peoples computers use > RECYCLED copier paper? Before thoughts of 'but the quality is crap' come to the >surface, > there are several types of laser quality recycled paper on the market which are >totally > indistinguishable from the unsustainable sources. Anyway this is a possible way to >make > computers more eco-friendly. Maybe this has already been done in the US, but not so >over > here. > Richard. > > > > ------------------------------ > > Date: Wed, 20 Mar 1996 12:48:44 -0500 > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > I sometimes think we are so enamored > with the new technology we substitute it for real environmental action or > real > analysis from being outdoors in the field. > _________ > I agree with that and I would like to add that there is never just one > solution to a complex problem. I think that exchanging discs (virus free of > course), using the net, expanding experiential learning and increasing the > use of projects and interactive tools, teaching can become more interesting > and not less. I would hate sitting in front of the computer all of the time, > too. But let's use it as one tool of many. Reducing all work to work on the > net is not the answer, at least as I see it. But if it contains the amount > of paper turn out, then it's one step. Plastic waste is a concern, but discs > can be used over and over unlike paper. Most undergrads don't keep all of > their papers that they use on discs. The good ones, the big ones, etc. The > rest gets deleted and the space used for something else. > > Just some thoughts > > Katie M. Ladd > > ------------------------------ > > Date: Thu, 21 Mar 1996 08:29:56 +1200 > From: "STEFANIE S. RIXECKER" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: Conference Annoucement (fwd) > Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > ------- Forwarded Message Follows ------- > > > CONFERENCE ANNOUNCEMENT > > > > FEMINIST PERSPECTIVES ON AUTONOMY AND AGENCY > > 28-30 June, 1996 > > Australian National University > > > > KEYNOTE ADDRESS > > Diana Meyers > > Professor of Philosophy, University of Connecticut, Storrs > > Among her works are "Subjection and Subjectivity" (1994), "Self, Society > > and Personal Choice" (1989) and "Women and Moral Theory", (co-edited > > with Eva Kittay, 1985) > > > > OTHER SPEAKERS INCLUDE: > > Marilyn Friedman (Washington University, St. Louis) > > Lorraine Code (York University, Toronto) > > Genevieve Lloyd (UNSW) > > Susan Brison (Dartmouth College, New Hampshire) > > Susan Dodds (Wollongong University) > > > > Conference Sponsors: > > Australia Foundation for Culture & The Humanities > > Department of Philosophy, Faculties, ANU > > Research School of Social Sciences, ANU > > > > Conference convenors: > > Natalie Stoljar, Philosophy (Faculties), ANU > > Catriona Mackenzie, Philosophy, Macquarie > > > > FEES AND REGISTRATION > > The fee of $40 ($25 for students/unemployed) includes lunch on Saturday > > and Sunday. > > Registration is due by Friday 7 June, 1996 > > > > For further information and/or registration forms, please contact: > > Fiona Webster > > Department of Philosophy (Faculties) > > ANU > > Canberra, AUSTRALIA, 0200 > > E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > Ph. 06 2493023; Fax. 06 2495058 > > > > For updated information, see our web site: > > > > http://online.anu.edu.au/philosophy/AutonAgency.html > > > > > > > > > > > > ************************************ > Stefanie S. Rixecker > Centre for Resource Management/ > Department of Resource Management > Lincoln University > Canterbury > Aotearoa New Zealand > E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Phone: (64) (03) 325-2811 x8377 > Fax: (64) (03) 325-3841 > ************************************ > > > ------------------------------ > > End of ECOFEM Digest 411 > ************************ > >From [EMAIL PROTECTED] Mon Mar 25 19:36:45 1996 id <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; Tue, 26 Mar 1996 14:22:26 +1200 ; 26 Mar 96 14:22:52 +1200 Date: Tue, 26 Mar 1996 14:22:18 +1200 From: "STEFANIE S. RIXECKER" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: ISA Programme/fwd To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Organization: Lincoln University The ISA can be a good way of linking ideas regarding women and environment, so I thought I would post this info. It's originally from FEMISA (Feminist Theory & Gender Studies within ISA). Sorry about any cross-posts. [EMAIL PROTECTED] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 20 Mar 1996 08:27:36 -0600 (CST) From: Deborah Stienstra <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: FEMISA <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Final ISA program online The final program for the Annual Meetings of the International Studies Association 16-20 April in San Diego is now on-line at http://csf.colorado.edu/isa Deborah Stienstra Femisa list manager and co-moderator [EMAIL PROTECTED] ------------------------------ ************************ ************************************ Stefanie S. Rixecker Centre for Resource Management/ Department of Resource Management Lincoln University Canterbury Aotearoa New Zealand E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Phone: (64) (03) 325-2811 x8377 Fax: (64) (03) 325-3841 ************************************
