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When I agreed to have a cesarean, was I really making a choice? First of all, I, the chooser, was not truly informed; second, my doctor lied to me. Third, my insurance company limited my choices in many ways. Read more…. VBAC and Choice: Many Questions and a Few Answers
Midwifery sometimes requires the balancing of choices. In this story, the midwife must decide which of her clients needs her more, while ensuring that the other ones’ needs are met.
Photo provided by author
All births have a profound effect on the participants. Diana Janopaul shares a risky birth that bound her to that baby for life.
Photo by Ileana Skakun
I am a doula. I never really planned it; instead I became a doula by default. I had a lot of friends who were having babies, and I had a lot of babies, too. I always loved babies. As a little girl, I’d play mama to all of my stuffed animals and dolls. In junior high, I couldn’t imagine a greater rush than that of holding a new baby. In high school, when everyone was talking about which university they would attend and how rich and successful they wanted to be, I’d chime in with “Six kids—that’s all I want and I’ll be happy.” (26 years and six children later, I’ve achieved my life’s goal!)…
Midwife Shafia Monroe talks about the beauty and sensuality of pregnant woman, how we need to honor them during that special time. “Of course midwives love babies. We work hard to provide care to ensure that a woman has a healthy pregnancy and thus a vigorous baby. But in actuality, midwives love women.” Read more…. Midwives Honor the Sensuality of Pregnancy and Birth
Technology can make take away the beauty of birth, when used unnecessarily. Editor Jan Tritten argues that midwives are in a position to change the tide of unnecessary technology, using the evidence that is accruing. Read more…. Technology: Stemming the Tide
A flashback sends a midwife back in time almost 40 years to the traumatizing birth of her daughter. Read more…. Birth Rape: Another Midwife’s Story
Editor’s note: This article first appeared in Midwifery Today, Issue 85, Spring 2008. Subscribe to Midwifery Today Magazine The Second Nine Months by Vicki Glembocki [2008, Philadelphia: Da Capo Press, 272 pages, paperback.] The Second Nine Months, a memoir that allegedly tells the real story of becoming a mom, is an object lesson on why… Read more…. Media Reviews – Issue 85
Pictured, Lisa Mark
This is part two of a two-part series on Amicus Birth Center in Trinidad. See part one in Midwifery Today Issue 84. We hope that this successful model can be used by others. Read more…. Amicus Maternity Center: Part II
After more than a decade of trying to bring down the number of c-sections, some obstetricians are now reversing themselves and promoting more of them. In fact, a growing number of American obstetricians now urge women to “choose” a cesarean even when there is no medical indication that they need one. Read more…. Choose & Lose: Promoting Cesareans and Other Invasive Interventions
I found out I was pregnant in June of ’94 and suddenly everything was different for me. It was as if I had a gun to my head; I had to get better RIGHT NOW. I was convinced that if I didn’t I was going to be the worst mother on the planet. – from Shakta’s story Read more…. Listening to Survivor Moms
Technology…. It has helped us to grow as a nation, but in what direction? Here in the US we think we are so great with our technological advancements…
Read more…. What Can You Do to Make Changes with Care Today?
