CT: The concept of “normal birth” has been promoted as ideal by several
international organizations, although debate about its meaning is ongoing. In this article,
I examine the concept of normalcy to explore its ethical implications and raise a trio of
concerns. First, in its emphasis on nonuse of technology as a goal, the concept of normalcy
may marginalize women for whom medical intervention is necessary or beneficial. Second, in
its emphasis on birth as a socially meaningful event, the mantra of normalcy may
unintentionally avert attention to meaning in medically complicated births. Third, the
emphasis on birth as a normal and healthy event may be a contributor to the long-standing
tolerance for the dearth of evidence guiding the treatment of illness during pregnancy and
the failure to responsibly and productively engage pregnant women in health research. Given
these concerns, it is worth debating not just what “normal birth” means, but whether the
term as an ideal earns its keep. (BIRTH 39:4 December 2012)
Key words: ethics, good birth, natural birth, normal birth, pregnancy