The Transformation Of Birth

Cesarean section which was a great stride in the history of the development of medical technology can reduce maternal and infant mortality caused by dystocia or other diseases. The surgical technology, which should be carried out if necessary,has been the first choice for many gravidas. The cesarean rate of China, which is highest in the world, has caused a global concern. Therefore, it is a timely and profound issue of social anthropology to take cesarean section as a new form of reproduction system. Gravidas should express themselves in an effective way to help find out the reasons leading to China’s such high cesarean rate.At first, the thesis displays how cesarean section which was a way of childbirth has become a issue of public health with cultural meaning. Based on the background research, the thesis puts forward three issues:(1) how cesarean section as a way of childbirth with human intervention has been increasingly epidemic.(2) What are reasons behind China’s high cesarean rate.(3) What is the determinant of cesarean section without medical indication and how do gradivas and doctors react when the decision was made.Secondly,academic value can be defined based on literature review. Although many existing researches have discussed this issue, the limitations should not be overlooked.(1)Research angel of existing researches is monotonous. Most of researches have been conducted in medical, statistical and economic way,overlooking social fabric, medical system and culture psychology.(2) Existing researches failed to take opinions of gravidas and their husbands and friends into consideration. In order to overcome the limitations, the thesis displayed their roles through questionnaires and in-depth interviews.Finally, the thesis displays situation of cesarean section in the place where survey was undertaken and discusses the reasons for it. What’s more, the thesis also attempted to analyse the reasons for China’s high cesarean rate. Findings are following:(1) Concerning the factors influencing gravidas’final decision, suggestions of doctors, husbands and friends can exert a great impact. Husbands influence most, next is doctor.(2) In author’s perspective, the refusal of pain is just a superficial manifestation behind which several factors push China’s cesarean rate up, namely, China’s One-Child policy; market-oriented medical system; fragile hospital-patient relationship in China.Above all, cesarean section is an issue of public health with culture meaning rather than an individual choice. It can be considered the transformation of birth concerning the whole society. A single research can not make a perfect conclusion, so the thesis is just an exploratory study.