From home to hospital: A social history of childbirth in Singapore

Abstract

This thesis examines the transition of birthing experiences as birth moved from being home to hospital based during the 1960s to the 1970s. It argues that such a transition was coherent with the statea??s modernization agenda and the importance placed on science and technology in nation building. Consequently despite the critique of colonialism employed by state leaders, it was the Western biomedicine that was chosen for Singaporea??s healthcare system. In the process, many a??traditionala?? forms of birthing were classified as dangerous and lost their importance. It is also argued that women contributed to the decline of home birthing with their demands for obstetric care, seen as being more professional. Finally, this thesis also argues that obstetric birthing may not have been the only means of securing a safe birth.