This pre-print version may contain errors & omissions. The published version is available from Cambridge University Press (https://tinyurl.com/w398agg) 1 Fertility, childbirth and parenting: Defining sexual and gender relations Catriona Ida Macleod and Tracy Morison Abstract: Major historical shifts in the field of fertility, childbirth and parenting have implications for feminist psychologists working on these topics. These shifts include approaches to sexuality and reproduction: a population control emphasis in the late 1940s, a reproductive rights paradigm in the 1990s, and progression from reproductive rights to reproductive justice. Feminist psychologists must traverse the political landscape created by these broad approaches. In this chapter, we suggest ways in which such engagement may be facilitated through examination of mainstream assumptions and outcomes and the use of nuanced feminist research. Drawing from transnational feminisms, the principles of reproductive justice, and examples of research and interventions in reproductive decision- making, abortion, obstetric violence, ‘deviant’ (m)others, early reproduction and contraception, we argue that feminist psychology should attend to both global and cross- cutting power relations concerning fertility and reproduction, as well as localised dynamics. Key words: fertility, mothering, childbirth, pregnancy, abortion, reproductive rights, reproductive justice, obstetric violence, sexuality education, population control, contraception, teenage pregnancy. Fertility, childbirth and parenting are central concerns, firstly, in population politics, secondly, in public health, and, thirdly, for feminisms, including feminist psychology. The questions and actions driving these three broad approaches have, however, been very different. In terms of population politics, governments and demographers concern themselves with the social and economic implications of population trends. Through various policies, national governments attempt to shape fertility, childbirth, and parenting practices so as to advance national priorities. At a public health level, national health departments and international health agencies, such as the World Health Organisation, analyse fertility trends and recommend interventions to promote reproductive health. Feminists take a different tack by contextualising sexual and reproductive health in relation to the cultures, communities, and social structures that shape women’s reproductive lives. Feminist approaches highlight the gendered, heteronormative and class-based power relations underpinning not only interpersonal decision-making and practices surrounding fertility, childbearing, and parenting, but also those implicit in health interventions and government programmes. Feminist psychologists working within the field of fertility, childbirth, and parenting inevitably have to navigate their way through the terrain set by these broad approaches. While feminist psychologists need to consider public health responses to fertility, childbearing, and