Publisher's Synopsis
Martha Deed, PhD is a psychologist who began her longitudinal childbirth research in Paris in the 1970s. More than two dozen patients of Dr Pierre Vellay are included in her study along with a detailed report that she made to Dr Vellay at his request. Dr.. Vellay is considered to be Dr Fernand Lamaze's successor in developing accouchement sans douleur or painless childbirth. Research includes reports of childbirths at the maternity clinique used by Drs. Lamaze and Vellay, as well as women's childbirth experiences elsewhere in Europe, North and South America. An independent researcher and psychotherapist, she authored several professional papers based on her interviews with more than 50 women. The interviews took place during a time of feminist activism and hope. Gains achieved then have eroded over time and have motivated her to make her work available to a new generation of pregnant women and new parents.
Birth recounts the origins of the childbirth research and contains Deed's extensive report to Dr. Vellay based upon her interviews. A second book, Culture Shock tells the stories of more than 50 women (including the 23 Vellay mothers) whom Deed interviewed throughout their pregnancies and early months of parenthood.
