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Photo by Jacqueline Kelly
You may have run into them when “Googling” something on the Internet: small communities of bloggers with common interests and common goals. In a world where finding time to gather together has become increasingly difficult…
Photos provided by author
The interview with Lara was uncanny. The process of interviewing midwives was strange anyway, as I’d always been on the other side of the table, fielding the questions rather than asking them. I wasn’t even sure what I wanted to ask. It never occurred to me that I’d interview midwives—wouldn’t I just pick one of my colleagues?
My objective here is not to write anticipatory fiction, but to focus on one factor that will undoubtedly have an effect on the history of obstetric techniques and obstetric technology. Until now obstetric technology has thrived on a deep-rooted quasi-cultural lack of understanding of the basic needs of laboring women and of newborn babies.…
Photo by Yoal Desurmont
In the ancient Roman world childbirth was a dangerous event with uncertain outcomes for mother and child. Rates of infant and maternal mortality were high, as they are in modern communities without obstetric care.(1) Pain relief and general sanitation were lacking and traditional methods of childbirth were largely influenced by folklore and religious practices in an agrarian environment.
Read more…. Childbirth in the Ancient Roman World: The Origins of Midwifery
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At 5 am the phone rings; a man with a hint of an accent says, “Hi, this is Amos, Lydia thought I should call to tell you we might be needing you to come by later today.”
Photo by Andrei Lazarev
Midwives know the courage that is necessary to take ourselves through changes, and we stand by the side of each woman as she goes through her own transformation. Of course, with any transformation comes that dreaded moment of fear: the fear of letting go, of disconnection, separation and detachment.
Maternal Child Health Aide Veronica helping Satta learn to carry things on her head
Photos provided by the author
The first time the traditional midwives excitedly asked us to go to town, I gave them a blank look, since the village of Pellie is a loosely clustered group of mud-walled, thatch-roofed huts.…
Lisa and Venus Mark
This is part one of a two-part series on Amicus Birth Center in Trinidad. See part two in Midwifery Today Issue 85. We hope that this successful model can be used by others. Read more…. Amicus Maternity Center: Part I
Photos provided by the author
Not only has birth itself changed over the years, but birth changes individuals. This birth story illustrates how we can change birth by allowing it to change us.
One of my most important roles in my midwifery life is that of encourager. My desire is that you carry out the dreams given to you – and I know you have them. I delight in telling about people carrying out their dreams as a way, hopefully, to inspire you. Read more…. Birth Change
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Even some doctors are tiring of the medical model for normal risk childbirth. This interview with an osteopathic physician explains why he and his wife chose homebirth for their second child.
We can change birth by telling positive, rather than negative, birth stories. We need to counter those negative stories that predominate in the US culture of birth.
Read more…. Positive Birth Stories Transform Fear into Confidence and Prospects into Clients
