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The sociology of childbirth emerged in the 1970s largely as a result of influences from outside sociology. These included feminism, maternity care activism, the increasing medicalisation of childbirth, and evidence-based health care. This paper uses the author's own sociological 'career' to map a journey through four decades of childbirth research. It demonstrates the importance of social networks and interdisciplinary work, particularly across the medical-social science divide and including cross-cultural perspectives, argues that the study of reproduction has facilitated methodological development within the social sciences, and suggests that childbirth remains on the periphery of mainstream sociological concerns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides comments on the relationship between fiction and nonfiction writing and feminism. It also draws on personal experience and on the contribution of other people who have reflected to the questions on the boundaries between the two sorts of writing and how they relate it to politics of feminism. Moreover, it interrogates the relationship between academic writing and fictional work and outlines other people's reactions and expectations in relation to the fallacies of fact and fiction.

Discusses the context and background of contemporary feminist arguments against science and gender. Reasons for the overlapping concepts presented; Relationship between feminism and science; Key political concept for second-wave feminism.