ABSTRACT

A unique and innovative resource for conducting ethnographic research in health care settings, Ethnographic Research in Maternal and Child Health provides a combination of ethnographic theory and an international selection of empirical case studies.

The book begins with an overview of the origins and development of ethnography as a methodology, discussing underpinning theoretical perspectives, key methods and challenges related to conducting this type of research. The following substantive chapters present and reflect on ethnographic studies conducted in the fields of maternal and child health, neonatal nursing, midwifery and reproductive health.

Designed for academics, postgraduate students and health practitioners within maternal and child health, family health, medical sociology, medical anthropology, medicine, midwifery, neonatal care, paediatrics, social anthropology and public health, the book will also illuminate issues that can help health practitioners to improve service delivery.

chapter 3|22 pages

Work practice ethnography

Video ethnography in maternity settings

chapter 4|20 pages

Writing of one's own culture

An auto-ethnography of home birth midwifery in Ireland

chapter |25 pages

A mirror on practice

Using ethnography to identify and facilitate best practice in maternity and child health care

chapter 7|24 pages

Night-time on a postnatal ward

Experiences of mothers, infants, and staff

chapter 8|16 pages

Fathers' emotional experiences in a neonatal unit

The effects of familiarity on ethnographic field work

chapter 10|20 pages

Challenges of organizational ethnography

Reflecting on methodological insights