Maryl Smith, CPM, LDM, has an active homebirth practice and has been catching babies since 1984. Over the years she has cared for women from over 18 different nations, worked in two free-standing birth centers, taught as adjunct staff at Birthingway College of Midwifery and served in multiple roles in the promotion of midwifery in the state of Oregon. Her passion is supporting trauma survivors during the perinatal experience. Maryl frequently travels the world with her pastor/musician husband working to preserve indigenous spiritual expression in music. Her other activities include adventures with her granddaughters, herb gardening, writing and being active in her local Native American community.
Photo by David Veksler
Who would have thought that a pandemic from a new virus would boldly arrive while we were going about our everyday service as midwives? For many of us, it raises questions about how to maintain our own health while protecting the health of our clients and their newborns. Fortunately, the little that we know about the virus and pregnancy is mostly reassuring. Read more…. Midwives and Covid-19
Natalia Walth—nataliawalth.com
I was asked to write an article exploring the question “Why choose homebirth?” my midwife brain automatically went to things that midwives think about: the vast amount of statistical data about the safety of homebirth… Read more…. Why Choose Homebirth
Photo by Larm Rmah
A companion article to “Creating a Safe Space for Healing,” this article gives tips on how to make essential medical procedures as non-threatening as possible for women trauma survivors.
Read more…. Modifying Medical Procedure for the Trauma Survivor
Photos by April Hallwood
Women who have been abused and traumatized may experience a variety of issues related to pregnancy and birth. Maryl Smith discusses developing awareness of signs and triggers, as well as how to work with such women and help them feel safe. Read more…. Creating the Space for Healing: Antepartum Care in Women with Trauma History
Photo by Alvin Mahmudov
A great article for all aspiring or practicing midwives, providing important advice on mentoring.
This first wave of the H1N1 outbreak in North America has now passed, providing us with important information. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) predicts another wave to come around December and perhaps again in the New Year [2010]. Read more…. The H1N1 Primer for Pregnant Women
Midwives work with a vast array of interesting, creative, amazing and thought-provoking women; it’s one gift of our work. We were drawn to the work to serve, support and be with childbearing women. Consequently, when we find ourselves inclined to ignore, admonish or run away from a particular client, we may experience conflicted feelings of guilt and inadequacy. In the worst circumstances we may develop a belief that the client is an adversary instead of a sincere person seeking our assistance.
Read more…. Determining Relational Needs in Challenging Clients
