The Timeless Way

Drawing on depictions from Greek reliefs and pre-Columbian clay pots through government films from the 1950's, The Timeless Way highlights the changes wrought by modern civilization on the birth process--from the ancient completely natural method, to drug-induced passivity, and back to active participant again. We see similar postures of birth appearing across all cultures in early historical periods: upright, squatting, and assisted. Late 19th-century Western (male-dominated) medicine wrought a significant change; now the mother was viewed more as a machine than a goddess: Women gave birth on their backs, alone, with legs in stirrups, which caused an increase in distressed and dangerous labor. Even later, they were removed from the process further by drugs, which lead to the use of forceps and episiotomies. The natural childbirth movement in the 1980s changed things for the better, bringing the return of the upright delivery, an increase in childbirth preparation classes, the appearance of the husband and family in the delivery room, and a greater focus on keeping the mother an awake and active participant in the birth. With the addition of the midwife and labor assistants, the classic pose for birthing has returned. This would be an excellent tape for an obstetrician's office, a birthing center, or for use in a childbirth preparation class; it would also be a good choice for larger public libraries. Highly recommended. Aud: P. (E. Druda)