Problems of the body and medicalization

Alienation and reconstruction regarding pregnant women's bodies

Abstract

From a medical point of view, the pregnant woman may be regarded as one who is “ill” in the sense of the Parson's theoretical model of the “sick role”. Rejecting this role, pregnant women often doubt professional discourse. The purpose here is to explore a little further into the problem of medical intervention which cuts off the relation between the subject and her body. This paper is primarily concerned with attempts made in “maternity homes” to bridge this dichotomy. It is because I believe that they offer the key to an understanding of the body's reconstruction that a pregnant woman needs. Some pregnant women regard maternity home as a place for recovering their independence.