This editorial outlines the medical and social model of childbirth (pregnancy) in simple terms.

What is it about?

This editorial give a simple overview of the medical and social model of pregnancy and childbirth as used by sociologist of health & illness (or medical sociologists). I was asked to write this editorial on the back of two widely cited publications: van Teijlingen E. (2005) A critical analysis of the medical model as used in the study of pregnancy and childbirth, Sociological Research Online, 10 (2) Web address: http://www.socresonline.org.uk/10/2/teijlingen.html MacKenzie Bryers H., van Teijlingen, E. (2010) Risk, Theory, Social & Medical Models: critical analysis of the concept of risk in maternity care, Midwifery 26(5): 488-496.

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