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Attendees dance to marimba music by Jenaguru Full Moon Marimba at the Eugene 2011 Midwifery Today conference.
Photo by Robin Gray-Reed
In this poetic article, the author uncovers the grace and gratitude present in a moment shared amongst midwives, dancing their stories.
Personal sharing through story is often discouraged in the medical professions, but a good story, well-told, can enrich the relationship between birth professionals and their clients.
The author’s mother-in-law Bara Cvarak, with grandchildren Rick and Danica Cvarak
Photo provided author
The roles of grandma and the postpartum doula are often ill-defined, and can be challenging to balance with the immediate needs of a new mom and baby. Author Vicky York discovers that with a little effort and patience, doulas and grandmas can work together. After all, there’s nothing quite like grandma’s love.
Read more…. Accepting Love without Perfection: The Roles of Grandmothers and Postpartum Doulas
Photo provided by the author
Take a trip to 19th century Ireland, where the village midwife was truly a “Jill of all trades.”
Jan Tritten reflects on second stage complications and the midwife’s role. Sometimes patient waiting, tempered with wisdom of when, and how, to act is the safest, healthiest way to bring new life into the world. Read more…. Waiting Can Be So Hard
Photo provided by the author
Starting in her native Mexico and ending up in London, England, doula and mama Indira Lopez-Bassols birthed three children—and herself—through a transformative birth journey.
Read more…. Three Stories, Two Continents, One Birth Journey
During the past 18 years, my apprenticeship with birth has challenged me to redefine my concept of boundaries, trust, fear and responsibility. Today, if I could make one statement about building a birthing community it would be this—build on what you know and believe is sacred. Read more…. Building Sacred Traditions in Birth
Photos provided by the author
Midwifery Today, Issue 98, Summer 2011.Join Midwifery Today Join Midwifery Today Online Membership Author’s Note: All names have been changed to protect the privacy of the women whose stories are shared here. In recent years, 20,000 asylum seekers have arrived in Israel from Africa, by way of the Egyptian desert. Many more refugees did not survive the journey, were caught by the Egyptian authorities en route or were turned back from the Israeli border in fear of infiltration by potential terrorists. Eighty-five percent of Israel’s asylum seekers are from Sudan and Eritrea. They flee famine and war in their homelands and set out on a long, difficult and dangerous journey in hope of securing a more promising future for themselves and their children. Many were interned in prison for illegal entry before being granted sanctuary in Israel. The women, as primary caregivers to their families, are not always able to work, certainly not while birthing or during the first few months after childbirth. They are not entitled to social welfare benefits, including the routine prenatal care that Israeli citizens receive, and most have no medical insurance. However, they are provided with basic aid, including medical care in hospital emergency rooms. In light of this situation, some local non profit organizations, such as the Carmel Shelter for women and children, are helping the refugees. Women and their children can stay in this shelter as long as they need—until they recover, find work and a place to stay. Most of the refugee women are in their childbearing years, so pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum care are recurrent issues. A small group of volunteer midwives provides professional medical assistance to these women and their newborns on a regular basis. They address the women’s special needs, with support from local organizations and other volunteers. What… Read more…. In Search of Hope for Rita
Photo by Lisa Tucker
A student midwife takes on state governments’ encroachment of women’s rights to birth where and how they choose.
One midwife. Three babies. Thirteen hours. Happy Father’s Day!
Not only do upright positions work with gravity, offering numerous benefits to mother and baby, but they also have an interesting history. Layer uncovers the story behind their wane in popularity during the 18th century and relatively recent resurgence.
Read more…. An Overview of Upright Positions During Second Stage Labor
Learn how therapeutic bodywork techniques can help baby achieve the optimal position prior to birth, as well as address Torticollis and Plagiocephaly after birth.
