Joy and Pain: An Affect Studies Perspective on Natural Birth Films

Authors

  • Sarah Rudrum University of British Columbia

Keywords:

Natural Birth, Childbirth in Film

Abstract

This paper uses discussions of pain, shame, and joy within critical affect studies to exam-ne two documentaries, The Business of Being Born (2008) and Orgasmic Birth (2008). It argues that, despite its valuable contributions, natural childbirth discourse conveys a troubling message, one that insists on joy over pain, advocates choice rather than systematic change, and perpetuates a problematic dichotomy between “natural” and “medical” birth.

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Published

2013-04-01

Issue

Vol. 36 No. 1 (2013)

Section

Original Research

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