Birthing Bodily Identities in North-Brabant and Suriname: Bodily Autonomy and Experiences of Maternity Care in North Brabant and Surinam, 1916-present

Dutch home-birth culture is recognized as intangible cultural heritage by the Kenniscentrum Immaterieel Erfgoed. Kraamzorg, a key aspect of this culture, is unique to the Netherlands. According to the Kenniscentrum, this birthing culture reflects national values like autonomy, freedom of choice, the natural birth process, and being at home. However, local histories raise questions about how much autonomy women actually experienced when their birthing practices became mediated by healthcare institutions in the previous century. This project proposes to research to what extent local women experienced autonomy and freedom of choice in their birthing practice when maternity care was professionalized and taken on by the White-Yellow Cross — a Catholic public health organization that was active in North Brabant and Suriname. To what extent did women experience the interventions by the WYC as a way to support bodily autonomy, and to what degree as disciplinary tools tied to a Christian and colonial civilizing mission? And how does this history influence contemporary maternity practices and experiences?