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Lora Denton—loradentonphotography.com
Often a deviated uterus will lead to an automatic cesarean. Jessica Gray writes about how this difference in her physiology led to her happy breech births.
Vicki Penwell shares the essentials of a training by Mercy in Action on how to deal with the unexpected during a birth. Read more…. Expect the Unexpected
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This article elucidates when and why varicose veins occur, what medical studies suggest for treatment, and what other midwives and mothers have found helpful.
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“Homebirth, first breaths, re-immersion in water and primate movement are a biological continuum for mamababy.” Sister argues for first breaths and primal imprinting for newborns—an instinctual interaction between mother and baby. Read more…. Newborn First Breaths: The Primal Movements of Lifelong Bonding, Imprinting, and Well-being
Photo by Trevor Cole
A great discussion of births during pre-agricultural times versus our current socialized birth, and the fetus ejection reflex. We need to go back to privacy for birthing women. Read more…. Is Labor a Complication of Socialized Birth?
Esther Edith—estheredith.com
Obstetrician/midwife Fernando Molino discusses the complication of cord prolapse, its different types, risk factors, and how to deal with it when it occurs.
Photo by Cristian Newman
Complications of childbirth are frightening for moms-to-be—yet they exist. Luckily, in our present day and age, there are effective treatments for most. Learning to deal with complications—to bring moms and babies through safely—is an important part of a midwife’s learning. Read more…. Complications of Childbirth
Editor’s note: This article first appeared in Midwifery Today, Issue 128, Winter 2018.Join Midwifery Today Online Membership Birth Bag Helpers I have an Arnica 10M I made, which will melt a stubborn anterior lip like butter! I also carry a couple of homeopathics in liquid form, which I tend to think work more quickly. A half teaspoon of baking soda, given every hour to hour and a half, for a tired uterus works like a charm. It works even better if given in Drip Drops oral hydration solution (available at drug stores). I also give a little bottle of Intimate Solutions Peri Cleanse for every mom’s peri bottle—it heals things so fast!—Kristine Tawater I use cramp bark for afterpains, Rescue Remedy for a mom who has been working really hard and getting tired. Skull cap tincture helps if a mom needs to take the edge off her pain and is having an extremely hard time relaxing. Clary sage oil will stimulate a start-stop labor. Shepherd’s purse and motherwort, if needed, help for postpartum bleeding. Peppermint oil is great for energy when it comes time to push and to encourage first void after birth.—Nubia Earth Martin After Ease, Rescue Remedy, honey sticks, blue and black cohosh tincture.—Martha Whitcher I love Angelica for placental release! Rebozo for sure, clary sage, homeopathic kit, and liquid antimonium tart for those wet babies are all important in a birth bag.—Amy Elizabeth Yunnan Paiyao and More One-third vial of Yunnan Paiyao in warm water stops bleeding almost immediately.—Jeni Rector I’ve dumped Yunnan Paiyao powder onto a torn vaginal blood vessel and it stopped bleeding very quickly. I could see the vessel pumping, but it receded to where I couldn’t get a clamp on it.—Sunshine Tomlin Yunnan Paiyao for postpartum hemorrhage, as well as essential oils (EOs):… Read more…. Tricks of the Trade – Issue 128
Photo by Javier Allegue Barros
Complications are why we need midwives. If birth were completely normal all the time we midwives would not be needed—but, indeed, we are needed. It is so important that we all learn and gather the necessary skills and didactic and emotional knowledge we can before we take responsibility for a mother and baby. One of the great keys to a good birth outcome is knowing when and how to act and to do so quickly. Otherwise, we can keep hands off and be the quiet midwife in the corner—unobtrusive and loving. We need to be careful not to disturb the process. Read more…. Let’s Move Birth in the Right Direction
Photo by Nick Owuor
Poem by Lina
Photo by Alexis Brown
The preceptor and student have a symbiotic relationship that serves to move the field of midwifery forward. This article outlines helpful tips for navigating this important relationship, the responsibilities of the student, and the ways in which both preceptor and student benefit from their collaboration.
The protocol to induce for postdates at 41 weeks was accepted by medical professionals about 10 years ago. The randomized controlled trials (RCT) for this protocol are based on poor quality studies that included births at high risk of perinatal death, such as premature births and those of diabetics, and entail high rates of noncompliance with protocol (Cohain 2015). There is no good evidence that induction for postdates among low-risk women results in better outcomes for mother or baby. Read more…. More Evidence to Avoid Hospital Birth: A Critique of the Results of the ARRIVE Study
