Mary L. Cooper

Mary L. Cooper has been a direct entry midwife since 1978, with 4000+ babies. Mary believes in all aspects of the birthing process, birthing women, and the full circle of birth (which at times includes death). At workshops, Mary shares this “sacred ground,” which includes: VBACs, twins, breeches, uterine death, birth anomalies, and healing births. She is a “caretaker” for elderly people, as all lives come to an end. Mary is thankful for the wisdom shared with her by women and babies she has helped.

Photo by Taksh

Third Stage of Labor

by Mary L. Cooper April 25, 2023

The third stage of labor consists of two phases: 1) separation of the placenta and 2) its delivery. Of the three stages of labor, the third stage of labor is usually the shortest and the easiest, especially if it is not rushed. The third stage is important because it is a primary factor in determining whether postpartum hemorrhage will occur.

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The Medicalization of Midwifery and Birth

by Mary L. Cooper May 13, 2022

The term “medicalization” refers to the process in which conditions and behaviors are labeled and treated as medical issues. Medicalized birth came about in the early 1900s with advances in pain relief, antiseptic and aseptic surgical practices, and surgical techniques and outcomes, alongside a rapid rise in people’s faith in scientific medicine. Read more…. The Medicalization of Midwifery and Birth

Photo provided by Colleen Uszak

Heart of a Lion, Warrior Woman Gives Birth

by Mary L. Cooper October 19, 2020

On February 4, 2020, I had the privilege of helping Vincent and Colleen with the birth of their second-born child. Their firstborn, a son, was born by c-section, due to his breech position and her bicornuate uterus.

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Milena ViVenzio—memoriesbythesmile.com

Labor Wisdom: First Stage

by Mary L. Cooper March 21, 2019

Let’s talk about the first stage of labor, especially for a first-time mom. I love helping women have their first babies; it’s such a special journey. A journey to bring a couple closer together and to show a woman how strong she is—physically, emotionally, and instinctively. I include in this group women who had prior babies in a hospital setting and do not understand the difference in having a baby at home—in the same environment where the baby is usually created. They are first-time moms, too, in having their babies at home.

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Amazing Birth

by Mary L. Cooper September 15, 2018

A humorous, sad, and interesting story about a variety of births.

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Prenatal Care in the “Plain Communities”

by Mary L. Cooper December 1, 2017

Author Cooper shows us what a day of prenatals looks like in her rural practice among five Amish and Mennonite communities.

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Emily Robinson—emilyrobinsonphotoblog.com

Newborn Stories

by Mary L. Cooper December 1, 2015

Midwife Mary Cooper shares some of her most memorable stories of newborns from the births she has attended.

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What a Difference a Little Water Makes

by Mary L. Cooper September 1, 2015

Midwife Mary Cooper has a wonderful way of sharing her wisdom with the readers of Midwifery Today. In this article, she highlights waterbirth.

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Tammy Bradshaw—tammybradshawphoto.com

Posterior Births and Babies

by Mary L. Cooper June 1, 2015

Let’s talk about those sweet babies who decide to present posterior in the uterus and then go on to either change position in labor or be born in a posterior position. I believe it is normal in a baby’s gestational life to be in transverse, breech, posterior, LOA and ROA positions. (There are even other positions our little darlings can get into.)

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Read more…. Posterior Births and Babies

Stories to Learn From: Toxemia in Pregnancy

by Mary L. Cooper December 1, 2014

I have been a midwife for over 36 years and many of my clients come from Amish communities. What follows are two very different stories of preeclampsia in pregnancy.

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Helping a Mother with Twins: Choose Your Words Wisely

by Mary L. Cooper June 1, 2014

We all grew up learning about the power of words, but sometimes in adulthood we forget this wisdom. Midwife Mary Cooper reminds us that it is even more important to stay away from negative words when working with a woman pregnant with twins.

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