Spaces of Birth

A socio-historical reading of two Transylvanian women’s autobiographies

Abstract

The study examines the socio-historical dynamics of the institutionalization of reproduction, with a particular focus on the transition of childbirth from the private sphere to institutional settings. Through two case studies situated in a rural, Hungarian-speaking community in Transylvania, the paper explores the transformation of birthing ractices. The analysis draws upon the autobiographical writings of Rózsi Kocsis and Anna Diószegi, which serve as a primary source for investigation. These personal narratives offer a unique insight into the experience of home birth and its gradual medicalization during the second half of the twentieth century. Building on Ágnes Losonczi’s research on pregnancy and childbirth, the study addresses these issues from the perspective of a marginalized minority context. The analytical framework is informed by the concepts of biopower and gender, with particular attention to the intersection of women’s social status and healthcare-related vulnerability. The article explores how the relocation of childbirth and the transformation of care work has affected gender relations, family dynamics, and community structures in this micro-context. Methodologically, the analysis combines close reading and critical discourse analysis, supplemented by ethnographic data, demographic statistics, and historical sources. The study contributes to the social history of birth and to the critical interpretation of Losonczi’s intellectual legacy by emphasizing women’s lives, vulnerability, and the impact of broader lifestyle changes.