Engaging with the concept of unique normality in childbirth.

Modern midwifery in most countries of the world claims to offer expertise in, and guardianship of, 'normal' childbirth. While there has been international concern about the rising rates of caesarean section, rates of reported spontaneous vaginal birth do not seem to have fallen proportionally. However, closer examination of intrapartum practices indicates that many women experiencing so-called 'normal' birth in centralised hospital settings in fact experience a wide range of technical or pharmacological interventions. This raises questions about the nature of normal childbirth. This paper examines three different concepts of normal birth, and proposes a way of seeing birth that engages with the concept of 'unique normality'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]