Att föda som man bör, eller som man vill : En sociologisk studie om varför kvinnor väljer planerade hemfödslar

Sammanfattning

This study examines assisted homebirths from a sociological approach. Its purpose is to broaden the understanding of why some women choose to give birth at home by exploring their experiences through qualitative interviews and analyzing these using theories of modernity, feminist critiques of modernity, and gender studies. The results show that women who choose assisted homebirths navigate several forms of risk in their decision-making process. These risks partly reflect the dominant, medically oriented risk discourse focused on the safety of the mother and child, but also include concerns about being treated poorly in hospital settings, receiving inadequate medical care and/or not being listened to during a highly stressful and vulnerable eventof their lives. The findings further indicate that choosing a homebirth entails social consequences and moral dilemmas, some of which are shaped by gendered expectations and norms. In conclusion, the choice to give birth at home can be understood as a way of asserting autonomy and securing a sense of safety and care perceived as lacking within institutional maternity care, while simultaneously navigating social risks and moral judgment. By problematizing the dominant risk discourse, the study aims to highlight the individual experiences, social relations, and broader societal structures that shape these decisions, thereby contributing to a more nuanced public discussion on homebirths and a deeper understanding of the phenomenon.