Going Into Labour

‘This insightful, thoughtful work needs to be read by all of us who are interested in contemporary childbirth practices. Anna Fielder has brought together the two concepts of labour - work, and giving birth - and shows us how both are subsumed under capitalism’

‘I have never seen a book that applies Marxist theories and capitalism to childbirth. This book is entirely original and a fascinating read!’

‘Fielder does indeed peel back the layers to reveal how capitalism shapes childbirth. It is refreshing, unique and provides a missing piece in birth scholarship and challenges us to be part of the ‘collective push to justice and equity”

‘A pivotal addition to Marxist understandings of pregnancy and childbirth. Fielder’s nuanced analysis denaturalises human biological reproduction and demonstrates the contradictory features of obstetrics in capitalist society.’

‘Anna Fielder has written the book which midwives and birth activists have long needed as we have struggled with the cumulative damage wrought to birthing environments internationally under the lethal regime of neoliberal capitalism. The resulting acute global shortage of midwives, increasing trauma for women, rising rates of illness and death for the poorest and most marginalised, and the endless nightmare of giving birth in conditions of war and genocide should have every single one of us out on the streets in protest. This book gives us the analytical tools we require to do so effectively’

Anna Fielder is a sociologist in the Midwifery Department, Auckland University of Technology.

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