PSYCHOSOMATIC OBSTETRICS IN THE COUNTRIES OF CENTRAL AND EASTERN-EUROPE

Women's experiences of pregnancy and birth in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe are explored in this paper. Most of these countries are in transition from a totalitarian system of government to that of democracy. The implications of this re-orientation are many. Not least of all are the changes taking place in health care systems in general, as well as in maternal-child health care in particular. This paper reviews the current state of some perinatal care systems in these countries. It is not a research paper: it reflects observations and recommendations arising from humanitarian aid service in these countries and from available literature.