Editorial: One Birth, One Woman at a Time

by Jan Tritten

© 2003 Midwifery Today, Inc. All rights reserved.

[Editor's Note: This editorial originally appeared in Midwifery Today, Issue 65.]

Do you ever have this haunting thought: “Why am I working so hard for change and to improve conditions for motherbaby when things keep getting worse?” When I look at birth around the world I realize that the changing of medicalized, technological and interfered-with birth is the most important plan we can make. We think of the motherbaby—their experience, their lives and their physical, emotional and spiritual health—and we go on. We reflect on the lovely families we have served and we go on. A spiritual stirring deep in our soul moves us on. We have been given a special love for what we do. We are like the little girl who saw thousands of starfish washed up on the sand and started throwing them into the sea, one by one. Someone said, “You can’t make a difference for all these dying starfish. There are so many and you are so small.” She picked up another, threw it in the ocean and said, “But I can make a difference for this one.” We are that little girl. We are making a difference for this family, one birth and one woman at a time. In the face of these frustrations, we fight for mothers and their babies.

I know things can be rough for us as midwives, childbirth educators, doulas and activists, but we must change things. We are the only ones who know about instinctive birth and authentic, women-centered midwifery. Our charge now is to make the changes we know are necessary. Let’s get our allies together, make plans and carry those out. Someone in the profession with the title “midwife” may or may not be an ally. The title “doctor” does not automatically eliminate those from the ally category either.

Most importantly, look at yourself. Take account of what you do well. Which of your attributes and strengths can you enlist for this most important struggle? How much time can you carve out of your already busy life? If you only have one hour per month besides your practice, it is still needed.

There are little things we can do each day, just by being who we are. Wear a shirt or earrings—or carry a bag—with a birth saying or image on it that leads to dialog about midwifery or birth. Start conversations in which you can teach informally. Let women know they are beautifully designed for birth and what a miracle it is. Help quell their fears and get them thinking. We are like birth ambassadors wherever we are: in line at the supermarket, waiting at the airport or in schools. It is our calling to help our society, especially women, understand birth and its far-reaching consequences. When I was gathering my thoughts for this editorial, I saw a bumper sticker with the message, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” How appropriate for us.

Whenever you are asked what you do, claim “midwife” as part of your identity in all situations. Those who have gone before you have helped this country know that midwives exist. When I used to say, “I am a midwife,” people would say, “A mid- what? I thought they disappeared.” We must normalize the concept of who we are and what we do as a forerunner to normalizing birth.

For these impromptu situations, keep in mind important sound bites of information for quick, but life-changing conversations. Know well the most important concepts to help women when you have only two, five or 10 minutes with someone. I know each of you have had conversations when you go away knowing you have made a difference. You help people, especially women, break the life-damaging myths that are particularly rampant now.

There are many things you can do besides use your identity as a seed to be planted. Have an empowering bumper sticker on your car. Teach in the schools, present at meetings, adopt a doctor, congressmember or nurse, write articles. We love to publish your knowledge and insights for everyone’s improved learning. Encourage the next generation by leading a study group. Your knowledge is important to share with both pregnant women and the upcoming generation of midwives. I think of how Marion Toepke McLean mentored so many of us. I am sure you have your mentors, too. They are an important part of our tradition. Be a mentor. Always fight the competitive spirit within you, and fight instead to make midwifery the norm throughout the world.

Look at the structure of your birth community and make plans for spreading the word within it. Put flyers in the library and birth bookmarks in library books. Canvas your community with ideas and work with others. Pick up the awe and miracle of instinctive birth. Let others feel this through your heart and see it through your eyes. Revel in the glory of a baby flowing in health and happiness out of the mother’s body and into her waiting arms. Bask in a new life coming to the planet in love and in a woman’s own time, held joyfully, without disturbance, chatter or other more severe intervention. Let others see and feel the miracle—the deep spirituality—through your soul.

One birth at a time, you rescue the starfish. Making change in our society is going to take the loving, concerted, planned effort of all of us. The boat is sinking; nothing else will save it. We need you as one of the few on the planet who have received birth wisdom to use it as the important gift God has given you. The gift is given to be passed on.

Start changing the world…one birth, one woman at a time.

Toward Better Birth,
 jan

Jan Tritten Jan Tritten is the founder and editor-in-chief of Midwifery Today magazine. She became a midwife in 1977 after the wonderful homebirth of one of her daughters. Her mission is to make loving midwifery care the norm for birthing women and their babies throughout the world. Meet Jan at our conferences around the world! [ PHOTO BY ANDREA NOLL ]   >  Editorials  Click here to read some of Jan's Midwifery Today editorials.   >  Curriculum Vitae  1947 Born in Los Angeles, California. 1965 Graduated from Placer High School in Auburn, California. 1966 Trained for one year as a psychiatric technician. Courses included basic nursing, pharmacology, microbiology, anatomy and physiology, psychology. 1966–1971 Worked at DeWitt State Hospital in Auburn, California as a psychiatric technician. 1968 Graduated from Sierra College with an Associate of Arts degree. 1970 Graduated with honors from Sacramento State College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Science. 1971 Earned Lifetime California teaching credential with fifth-year program from Sacramento State College. 1972 First daughter born in a hospital. It changed my life forever. It was an unsatisfactory birth experience, but I had a wonderful postpartum experience with 2-1/2 years of breastfeeding. 1976 Second daughter born. She was born at home with a doctor who talked me into a homebirth. The difference between the two births sent me on a path to do something to help women have positive birth experiences. 1976 Began training as a midwife. Because I was raising young children and running a business, and because there were no CNM schools in my area, becoming a CNM was not within my reach. 1977 Began attending births with the Birth Co-op in Eugene while organizing courses in our community taught by CNMs, physicians, nutritionists, etc. 1978 Began a midwifery practice, New Life Care, with a partner, Chris Howard, and apprentice Monika Dunsmore. 1979 Son born at home. 1980 Did a one-year program with Marion Toepke McLean, CNM. Four of us completed the program, which was modeled after CNM curriculum at that time. She took a year off from her practice to teach us and to go to our births with us. 1982 First group of midwives certified by the Oregon Midwives Council. Our board was composed of CNMs and physicians. 1986 Slowed down practice and started Midwifery Today magazine.

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