The Theater of Birth: Scenes from Women's Scripts

Authors

Lisa Hanson, Marquette UniversityFollow
Leona VandeVusse, Marquette UniversityFollow
Kathryn Shisler Harrod, Marquette UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Language

eng

Publication Date

9-2001

Publisher

Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Source Publication

Journal of Perinatal & Neonatal Nursing

Source ISSN

0893-2190

Abstract

An analogy between theater and birth is drawn from analyses of women's birth stories to describe birth from a fresh perspective. Birth and theater are compared using the theatrical production elements: setting, casting, props, set, behind the scenes, script, and roles. Selected examples from women's birth stories highlight each element. Nurses' roles are significant during labor and birth, but nurses' abilities to fulfill these roles are threatened. This analogy promotes rethinking of nursing actions in the theater of birth. Implications for clinical practice are provided, including altering the birth environment, offering choices, and maintaining the woman's role as star.

Comments

Accepted version. The Journal of Perinatal & Neonatal Nursing, Vol. 15, No. 2 (September 2001): 18-35. Permalink. © 2001 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Used with permission.

Recommended Citation

Hanson, Lisa; VandeVusse, Leona; and Harrod, Kathryn Shisler, "The Theater of Birth: Scenes from Women's Scripts" (2001). College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications. 663.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/nursing_fac/663