Joni Nichols is Midwifery Today’s Country Contact for Mexico. She is a childbirth educator, doula, labor assistant, activist and partera who co-founded the pioneering water birth center, Nacer en Plenitud, in Guadalajara. When not working with pregnant families, attending their births, making presentations at conferences or participating on online forums about birth, she is reading something birth-related.
Photo by Tom Hermans
Media Reviews – Issue 132 – The Women Who Caught the Babies: A Story of African American Midwives, What God Is Honored Here? Writings on Miscarriage and Infant Loss by and for Native Women and Women of Color, Safe Infant Sleep: Expert Answers to Your Cosleeping Questions, and Heart & Hands: A Midwife’s Guide to Pregnancy and Birth, 5th Edition Read more…. Media Reviews – Issue 132
Photo by Denise Jans
Media Reviews
Spring 2019, Issue 129
Read more…. Media Reviews: Issue 129
Media Review: In Shock: My Journey From Death to Recovery and the Redemptive Power of Hope Read more…. Media Reviews: Issue 127
Unfortunately, birth in Mexico’s hospitals isn’t very conducive to natural and empowering experiences for women. In this article, Joni Nichols provides a concise account of the situation for Midwifery Today readers.
After climbing into the oversized uterus that San Diego midwife Celesta Rannisi used as part of a kids’ childbirth class at the Gentle Birth World Congress (September 2007) I came home to Guadalajara, Mexico, and created one of my own.
The happy little secret is that there are doctors throughout the world who either are already practicing in ways congruent with the midwifery model or are eager to learn how. I’m not wringing my hands over how few and far between they are, but rather exalting in the fact that some exist and that they are listening to what the midwifery world can teach them. Their presence doesn’t eclipse what midwives contribute, but enhances the birthing world by giving even more birthing women the opportunity to encounter a professional who will attend them with respect and patience. Besides, who among us couldn’t benefit from consultation with or backup from a supportive doctor?
Photos provided by author
Sometimes midwives must unexpectedly become lactation consultants. Learn how the author successfully dealt with this challenge to get ensure that a baby got the nutrition he needed. You will find this article an invaluable reference if faced with a similar problem.
Photos provided by author
This is the second in a two part series of midwifery clinic the author founded in Mexico.
Photo provided by author
This interesting article documents the development of a birth center in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, which parallels the development of the birth professionals in their approach to and successes in natural birth.
