Science and Technology in Action - Western birthing technique

It's always sad to see - western birthing techniques, home of 400 year old patriarchal technology - still thriving after all these years.

On Rescue Code One (TV) it showed a mother giving natural birth in a New Zealand hospital - flat on her back against gravity, surrounded by machines and an army of clinicians wearing face-masks all solemnly and authoritatively gazing up her legs, both dutifully splayed for inspection, of course, and resting, immobile, on little leg-platforms, just to make positionally sure, and a reminder of who's in control.

Her clinically taught panic teaches her to mutter "I want drugs.. ". But she is determined to go it without them- one small mercy for baby and mother alike, though the chance of hernia and poor bonding is more likely in her immobilised, clinical, state.

Surrounded by an impressive bank of humming voyeur technology and the reassuring stink of disinfectant, the clinicians grope, through sanitary latex gloves, and huff, through filter face masks. They tell her where the baby is, when to push, when to breath, when to try, when to come on, and - most of all - how to cooperate.

A pantomime nightmare from Hell's, sorry, a western, labour ward. But everyone is ever-so-thankful when it's over, with careers, pecking orders, technology and anachronistic patriarchy secured.