Notes on Psychology of Childbirth

Special Topics in Biology and Psychology

  • Course: Psyc 207
  • Professor: Kalina Christoff
  • Focus: Psychology of Childbirth

Learning Objectives

  • Understand and differentiate:
    • Medicalized Birth vs. Physiological Birth
    • The reinforcement and challenge of each narrative in modern media
    • Definition of 'normal birth' by the International Confederation of Midwives
    • The role of knowledge and information in childbirth perceptions
    • Different muscle types and their functions during childbirth
  • Main Question: Can knowledge change the perception of pain in childbirth?

Medicalized vs Physiological Narratives of Birth

  • Medicalized Birth:

    • Portrayal predominantly emphasizes medically managed delivery.
    • Associated with 'hyper-medicalization' as mentioned in traditional and social media (Das, 2018).
    • Often presents a negative portrayal of childbirth experiences.
    • Tocophobia: A condition characterized by a severe fear of childbirth exacerbated by negative media portrayals (Marsh, 2018).

  • Physiological Birth:

    • Defined by the International Confederation of Midwives as a unique process of interaction between fetal and maternal physiologies in a psychosocial context.
    • Ideal conditions involve spontaneous labor and a vertex position at term without interventions.
    • Represents a 'good birth,' often idealized in social media, which can put undue pressure on expectant mothers (Das, 2019).

Impact of Media on Childbirth Perception

  • Social Media:

    • Dominance of medicalized narratives influences the expectations and decisions of pregnant people.
    • Alternative narratives promoting physiological births are less prevalent but exist.
    • Clinicians express concerns over increased expectations and pressures created by social media norms (House of Commons, HSCC, 2021).

  • Humor in Childbirth Representations:

    • Critical examination of humor in media surrounding childbirth (e.g., parodies like "OB/GYNE Style").
    • Impact of light-hearted portrayal on public perception vs. serious implications of childbirth.

Knowledge and Its Role in Childbirth

  • Concept of Information vs. Knowledge:

    • Information is sensory data with context (stories, images).
    • Knowledge is derived from interpretations of that information enabling action.
    • Example: Personal experiences and firsthand knowledge can provide insight but may not always lead to changed perceptions about childbirth pain.

  • Changing Pain Perception:

    • Credibility of new information can lead to either rejection or integration into existing belief systems.
    • Alternative media might fail to influence beliefs due to low credibility or contrasting pre-existing knowledge.

Types of Muscle in Childbirth

  • Understanding muscle types important for childbirth:
    • Skeletal Muscle: Voluntary movement and not significantly involved.
    • Smooth Muscle: Found in the uterine wall, critical during contractions.
    • Cardiac Muscle: Not directly involved in childbirth.
  • The myometrium specifically contains smooth muscle fibers that facilitate labor.

Anatomy Relevant to Childbirth

  • Uterus and its components, including:
    • Fundus, cervix, myometrium, and endometrium
    • Pelvic bones, supporting ligaments, pelvic floor muscles important for the birthing process.