Midwifery Today Issue 118 The heart and science of birth

Summer 2016

Theme: Core Midwifery Skills

Midwifery Today’s goal has always been to bring the best information to midwives and mothers. One of the most effective ways we know of to enact change is through education. That is why we are excited for this issue on Core Midwifery Skills. We have solicited articles from experts in the field of gentle birth, including Michel Odent, Sister MorningStar, Diane Goslin and Vicki Penwell. We hope you enjoy Issue 118, and we are always grateful to hear your feedback, either through our Facebook page or via e-mail at [email protected].

Cover photo by Lynsey Stone (dfwbirthphotographer.com). Lynsey is a mother of four who has been photographing births in North Texas for the past 10 years. She has had a variety of birth experiences herself from a scheduled cesarean to a home waterbirth. These experiences have made her passionate about birth, so when she was offered the opportunity to photograph a friend’s birth, she jumped at the chance. She would like to dedicate this cover to her mother, Mary Sparks, and her mother-in-law, Billie Stone, who both provided support and childcare for this endeavor and who both passed away in March.

Pictured: Alexis and Cian Young greet their daughter Izzy. “Izzy was welcomed into the world surrounded by an incredible team of midwives. There was nothing like seeing her precious face for the first time! It was a moment that has changed my life forever.” —Alexis, mother

Buy This Issue

Departments

Poetry
From the Editor
Tricks of the Trade
Marion’s Message
Midwife Marion Toepke McLean discusses the most essential midwifery skill of them all: to be able to recognize and support normal birth and to keep it normal.
Media Reviews / Letter to the Editor
Discussions
Classified Advertising
Photo Album

Features

Hands on, Hands off: Midwifing the Inner Life of Women—Sister MorningStar
In this article, midwife MorningStar does what she does best: speaks about the needs of a laboring woman.
The Heart of the Core—Aubre Tompkins
A wonderful discussion about the art of midwifery and the science of midwifery—how each is important and has its place at birth.
Midwifery Tomorrow—Michel Odent
Obstetrician and natural childbirth advocate Michel Odent discusses the future of birth and the two scenarios he sees that are most plausible based on our current situation.
After Action Review: A Guide for Midwifery Students and Preceptors—Vicki Penwell
Birth: Our Journey Home—Andrew Hughes
A beautiful birth story written from the perspective of the father.
The Energy Model—Mary Zwart
Learn from Dutch midwife Mary Zwart about the birth culture in the Netherlands.
Rebirth of a Midwife in China—Jiang Yinzhi
A personal account of how a Chinese midwife was inspired and encouraged to continue supporting women.
A Mother-Daughter Breech Team—Mary Bernabe
A great birth story from the perspective of the midwife, who happens to share a midwifery practice with her daughter.
Normalizing Birth for the Global Citizen—Sister MorningStar
The Medicine of the Ukhu Pacha: Andean Sacred Teachings around Pregnancy, Birth and Postpartum—Cynthia Ingar
Andean culture and wisdom offer a deep and honoring approach to women’s bodies and their reproductive health, including the time/space around birth and becoming mothers. Birth is considered a rite of passage in itself, where one will no longer be the same.
Changing the Language of Childbirth—Susan Highsmith
“The words we use express our subconscious beliefs. We can perpetuate society’s paradigms by using its language, or we can choose our words to create the change we want to see.”
Birthcraft in Brazil: An Update on the Brazilian Humanization of Birth Movement—Ricardo Herbert Jones
Obstetrician Ricardo Jones discusses the changes that are taking place in Brazil surrounding human rights in childbirth.
Trota of Salerno: Women’s Medicine in Medieval Italy—Jane Beal
Midwife Jane Beal retells the story of a twelfth century Italian herbalist and healer: Trota of Salerno.
Holding the Space—Diane Goslin
Midwife Diane Goslin discusses what it takes to be a midwife.
Midwifery: The Role of Proctoclysis (Rectal Fluid Infusion)—Annalee Reid
The use of proctoclysis, or rectal fluid infusion, is a low-maintenance and effective method for midwives to provide fluid replacement therapy in low resource settings.
Prevention of the Primary Cesarean Section: Facts, Myths and Tips—Vijaya Krishnan
Midwife Vijaya Krishnan gives the readers of Midwifery Today a helpful article that will educate them on how best to avoid a primary cesarean.
Ixchel, the Mayan Goddess of Midwifery—Diana Paul
Midwife Diana Paul took a trip to Guatemala and learned about the Mayan goddess Ixchel. In this article, she shares the myth surrounding this interesting figure of Guatemalan culture.