From childbirth as an event to childbirth as an experience

The “embodied motherhood penalty” as a new perspective in fertility studies

Abstract

Childbirth is often treated as a demographic event, yet for women it is a profoundly embodied experience that can reshape well-being, identity, and reproductive choices. Moving from childbirth as an event to childbirth as an experience allows for a deeper understanding of how physical and emotional dimensions of birth influence not only fertility trajectories but also broader aspects of women’s lives. Drawing parallels with the well-documented "motherhood penalty" in the labour market, where women experience systematic disadvantages due to caregiving responsibilities, the concept of an "Embodied Motherhood Penalty" (EMP) is proposed. This penalty reflects the physical and emotional toll that childbirth can have on women, potentially leading to delayed or reduced fertility, but also shaping family overall well-being and, potentially, other life domains. To address this gap, the paper calls for a multidisciplinary approach that includes perspectives from sociology, psychology, and feminist theory. Such an approach would ensure that women's bodies and experiences are no longer marginalized, offering a more holistic understanding of fertility behaviours. By placing women’s embodied experiences at the centre of the framework, the paper complements existing economic and policy explanations and deepens our understanding of fertility and family life.  It calls for public policies that promote respectful, person-centred, and well-being-oriented maternal care.                                                                  
Keywords: fertility, body, motherhood penalty, well-being, experience, childbirth.