Leonie Grobler

This research explores the topic of childbirth and maternal health care in a community context where such facilities are lacking in focus and accessibility. The study explores the narratives of pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period through the lenses of phenomenological experience, feminist theory, and healing architecture.
The aim is to research and design a community health care centre that focusses on aspects surrounding childbirth and maternal healthcare. The intervention aims to challenge the clinical nature of healthcare, improve accessibility to quality and affordable healthcare, and give women freedom over their reproductive healthcare choices.
The site of the study is within the town of Alberton, located South of Johannesburg, in the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality. The goal of the research study is the development of a birthing centre model that serves as an alternative option to existing clinical birth settings which are part of larger hospitals.