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The Doula Dialectic

Feminist Rhetorics for Childbirth

The Doula Dialectic cover

The Doula Dialectic

Feminist Rhetorics for Childbirth

Quantity
Pre-order. Available Nov 12 2026
$144.85 RRP $160.95 Website price saving $16.10 (10%)

Payment for this pre-order will be taken when the item becomes available

Description

Offering firsthand insight into the world of doula work, Sheri Rysdam shows how doulas are well-positioned to engage as advocates, to employ rhetorical strategies to facilitate greater care and consent, and to connect birthing people to community-based care.

The author – who is both a trained doula and a rhetorician – uses feminist methodologies to bridge rhetorical strategies and theoretical discussions with personal experience and narrative accounts of childbirth. In doing so, readers get an experiential, embodied, and community-based practice and theory of childbirth and doula work that is situated at the intersection of feminist rhetorics and reproductive justice.

With a mix of theory, practice, and experience, this book is relevant to scholars and students of rhetoric, feminist theory, and reproductive justice advocates; childbirth attendants, such as doulas and other nonmedical support people; medical practitioners, including midwives, obstetricians, nurses and their students; pregnant people; and others interested in improving childbirth.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements
Preface

Introduction
1. Rhetoric's Role in Doula Work: Feminist Understandings, Analysis, and Activism
2. A Long History of Reproductive Violence: Witches, Midwives, Femicide, and Oppression
3. Contemporary Childbirth Settings and the Need for Doulas
4. Doulas as Advocates
5. The Doula-Rhetor: Rhetorical Interventions by Doulas
6. Community Connection: Models for Doula Programs
7. Advocacy in Action: Feminist Rhetorical Strategies for Childbirth Justice

Bibliography
Index
About the Author

Product details

Bloomsbury Academic Test
Published Nov 12 2026
Format Hardback
Edition 1st
Pages 208
ISBN 9781666955330
Imprint Bloomsbury Academic
Illustrations 1 bw illus
Dimensions 229 x 152 mm
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

Sheri Rysdam

Sheri Rysdam is Professor of English/Writing and W…

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