Abstract
The aim of this thesis is to explore how medical pain management technology affects the concept of natural birth.The relationship between medical pain management technology and natural birth is discussed in a structural framework in which medicalization, risk, and identity are acknowledged as important issues within the current childbirth paradigm. The analysis is based on thirteen in-depth interviews with Norwegian midwives and mothers on their perceptions of medical pain management technology and natural birth, thus making Norway the case study of the thesis. The thesis is framed within a STS perspective in that the concept of natural birth is viewed as constructed and changeable rather than stable. Furthermore, I have made use of theoretical contributions from disciplines like sociology and psychology in order to explain concepts like risk and identity.