Two of the women in my study accidentally gave birth outside the hospital.
The treatment these women received upon entry into the hospital provides
a very clear example of the tremendous force of the hidden cultural
process at work in obstetrical rituals.
Virginia Larsen gave birth to her second child in the car on the way to
the hospital. She wrapped the baby in her husband's jacket and held him
in her arms and nursed him as they continued on. Upon arrival, the
hospital staff "acted horrified." The baby was whisked away to the
nursery and the mother to a room; she was required to stay in the hospital
for three days, and was not allowed to see the baby for a full 24 hours--
a period much longer than normal in that hospital.
Genevieve Cummins gave birth to her first child, accidentally, at home.
She had planned to deliver in the hospital labor room with a certified
nurse-midwife; but her labor was very quick--she was starting toward the
stairs to get in the car and head for the hospital when the head crowned.
She made it back to her bed, and her mother called the midwife, who lived
only a few minutes away. The midwife arrived, expecting to check her and
take her on to the hospital, but ended up calling a paramedic team and
catching the baby a few minutes later. The birth was completely
successful; the mother felt thrilled. But the midwife, who had
officially committed herself to do only hospital deliveries, felt
that her job and reputation were in danger, so she requested that
Genevieve go to the hospital to be checked and to explain the
circumstances of her accidental home birth:
