Reproductive vibes: therapeutic atmospheres and the reproductive force of tourism mobilities

ABSTRACT

Drawing on a conceptual framework of therapeutic atmospheres, I explore the question of how a tourist destination reverberated with reproductive potentiality or a ‘reproductive vibe.’ I draw on ethnographic fieldwork attentive to the ‘charged atmosphere of everyday life’, to consider how reproductive possibilities unfolded in the Costa Rican Caribbean for some tourist women. Moving away from the autonomous, liberal, mobile subject as only ever a rational agent in reproductive decision-making, this article introduces new actors into the analytical and empirical framework of reproductive mobilities and cross-border reproductive care. I look at destination branding entangled with therapeutic ‘life affirming’ possibilities that emanated from local spaces and relations with the environment. In doing so, I trouble the irrational/rationality binary that dominates notions of reproductive decision-making to consider the role of affect, feelings, and bodies in reproductive subjectivities.     

Unwanted pregnancies and preventive health care use in Thailand

Research on the consequences of unwanted pregnancies can offer useful perspectives on the need to improve and expand the range of family planning options available to women in developing countries. This paper investigates the use of maternal and child health services by women who have unwanted or mistimed pregnancies. The results of our analysis indicate that wantedness of births exerts a significant influence on health care use in Thailand, after controlling for other determinants of utilization. Women with unwanted pregnancies are less likely to seek prenatal care or receive tetanus toxide inoculations. Further, women from disadvantaged socioeconomic groups, women with high parity and those with lower educational levels have the highest proportion of unintended pregnancies. The study concludes by making suitable policy recommendations.     

Castor oil for induction of labor in post-date pregnancies: A randomized controlled trial

Background

Castor oil is a substance used for labor induction in an inpatient setting. However, its efficacy as an agent for the induction of labor, for post-date pregnancies in an outpatient setup is unknown.

Period Parity Progression Measures of Fertility in China

Parity progression measures are uniquely suited to the study of fertility in China, because Chinese policies and programmes focus so closely on parity and birth order. In this paper we present period parity progression ratios for China and its urban and rural areas for the years 1955–81, using the birth history data from the one-per-thousand fertility survey of 1982. Our period parity progression ratios differ from those introduced by Henry in that they provide an overall level of fertility which may be compared with measures based on age-specific birth rates. We compare the two measures empirically for China, finding both similarities and divergences, and then analyse the relation between them. It is suggested that, where fertility is low and fluctuating, as in China, the parity-progression-based measures provide a substantially truer picture of fertility levels and trends than do age-based measures.     

基于环境因素的中国省级能源效率评价

能源环境问题是一经济体能源效率高低的尺度,运用基于定向技术距离函数的投入产出导向型DEA方法,在模型中加入污染排放指标并设定非意愿投入变量,测度了中国29个地区1999-2008年的全要素能源技术效率并作相应对比分析。结果显示:全要素能源技术效率低于全要素技术效率,考虑环境因素的全要素能源技术效率高于不考虑环境因素的;考虑环境因素的中国东部地区能源效率普遍高于中、西部地区,节能减排的重点应该放在全要素能源效率比较低的中、西部省份。     

Unintended pregnancy and intimate partner violence around pregnancy in a population-based study

BackgroundIntimate partner violence (IPV) and unintended pregnancy are public health issues that can affect the health and well-being of women and their children. However, the relationship between IPV and women's ability to control their fertility has not been adequately explored.AimTo investigate the association between unintended pregnancy and emotional or physical violence perpetrated by partners around pregnancy.MethodsA population-based study was undertaken, recruiting women (n = 779) at the hospital obstetric departments and gathering social and family data. IPV was diagnosed by using the Index of Spouse Abuse (ISA). Data were gathered by trained midwives in 15 public hospitals in southern Spain and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed.FindingsThe pregnancy was reported to be unintended by 118 (15.1%) of the study population. Unintended pregnancy was significantly associated with: physical and/or emotional IPV around pregnancy, age, marital status, cohabitation, educational level, and employment status. After adjusting for socio-demographic characteristics, emotional IPV around pregnancy was significantly associated with an unintended pregnancy (AOR = 2.5; 95% CI = 1.5–4.3). Being in a non-committed relationship was a risk factor (AOR = 3.5; 95% CI = 1.8–6.1) and being in employment a protective factor (AOR = 0.4; 95% CI = 0.2–0.8) for an unintended pregnancy.ConclusionWomen who report an unintended pregnancy may be experiencing emotional IPV. The risk of emotional IPV is higher if women reporting an unintended pregnancy are in a committed relationship, married, or in employment. A better understanding of the relationship between unintended pregnancy and violence can aid midwives about potential reproductive health risk factors associated with abuse.     

The overuse of intrapartum cardiotocography (CTG) for low-risk women: An actor-network theory analysis of data from focus groups

BackgroundThere is an overuse of cardiotocography for intrapartum fetal monitoring for low-risk women in high-income countries, despite recommendations from evidence-based guidelines.AimTo understand why midwives use cardiotocography for low-risk women despite evidence-based recommendations and to understand the roles of the cardiotocograph machine.MethodThis qualitative study used focus groups for data collection. Thirty-one midwives and three student midwives participated from four different countries: New Zealand, Australia, Denmark, and Norway. Constant comparative analysis, informed by an actor-network theory framework, was the method of data analysis.FindingsCardiotocography was multifaceted and influenced all attendants in the birth environment. The cardiotocograph itself is assigned different roles within the complex networks surrounding childbirth. The cardiotocograph’s roles were as a babysitter, the midwives’ partner, an agent of shared responsibility, a protector that ‘covers your back’, a disturber of normal birth, and a requested guest.DiscussionThe application of the actor-network theory enabled us to understand how midwives perceive cardiotocography. The assigned roles of the cardiotocograph shape its everyday use more than evidence-based guidelines. Discussion of these inconsistencies must inform the use of cardiotocography in the care of women with low-risk pregnancies.ConclusionWe found that the cardiotocograph is a multifaceted actant that influences practice by performing different roles. Drawing on this study, we suggest that actor-network theory could be a helpful theoretical perspective to critically reflect upon the increasing use of technologies within maternity care.