Livets begyndelses politik

This paper explores how constructions of pregnancy and birth have changed in policy documents in the period of 1976-2013. Through a discourse analysis of national policy documents and guidelines concerning the normal pregnancy and birth, this article demonstrates how health professionals’ internal relations and their relation to work, pregnant and birth-giving women have changed. The analysis points at a modified understanding of the midwife’s profession and practices regarding the management of normal birth, which produces new possible practices for the profession, as well as, for pregnant and birth giving women.