Abstract
In this paper, I examine women´s perceptions of birth care through the presence or absence of gratitude in birth stories from two English websites. In these narratives, gratitude is not always expressed nor is it necessarily addressed to the health team – doulas or the websites themselves are thanked for helping prepare for childbirth and for a positive experience. Good birth care in these stories is associated with good communication between women and midwife, especially regarding the information they receive about the procedures and about what to do during labor. Thus, both in these narratives and in the public health literature on childbirth, a good care team is one that enables women to make their own decisions and informed choices. In doing so, it empowers women and reduces asymmetry in the professional-patient relationship. On the contrary, contradictory or little information can produce anxiety and discomfort. Therefore, I argue that the feeling of gratitude, absent or present in birth reports, illuminates the dynamics of childbirth care in England, revealing what constitutes good care.
Keywords:
Birth; Care; Gratitude; England; Internet stories