Issue 136

Winter 2020

Theme: Homebirth

Homebirth is best, when possible. We are seeing it increase during the pandemic because women are afraid to go to the hospital, because of fear of exposure and policies that prohibit them from having support persons available. This issue has articles related to homebirth, as well as birth stories, complementary care, and international birth experiences.

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Cover photo by Esther Edith (estheredith.com). Esther is a birth photographer and doula in Spokane, Washington. She is married to a philosophy professor and has three children. Esther is passionate about her Christian faith and sees every birth as a miraculous gift of life—each is an incredible honor to capture. Having grown up in India, she has always had a passion for women’s rights and organically stepped into the birth world to help women have a voice and know their options in childbirth.

Pictured: Big brother Elam holds his baby brother, Aesop, for the first time after a beautiful waterbirth at home.

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Columns

• Poem: Voice of the Womb: A Woman’s Inner Strength, by Jane Beal 
• From the Editor: Homebirth Changed My Life, by Jan Tritten
  Midwifery Today’s Editor discusses how a homebirth helped heal her previous birth, as well as changing the trajectory of her life.
• Quote of the Quarter 
• Tricks of the Trade 
• Wisdom of the Midwives: Homebirth 
• Media Reviews 
• Midwifery and Childbirth News
• Photo Album 
• Marion’s Message 

Features

• Homebirth in the Time of Covid, by Nancy Wainer 
  Frequent contributor Nancy Wainer writes about how homebirth has changed and why it is still the best choice during the pandemic.
• A Family Reborn, by Judy Ribner 
  This birth story, which takes place in an orthodox Jewish home, unfolds just as nature intended.
• A Surprising Invisibility, by Joanna Grace
  With autism now affecting as many as one in 54 births, midwives and other birthworkers are sure to have clients who are neurodivergent. The author of this thoughtful article, a woman with autism, shares her experience and tips for midwives and other birthworkers on how to better serve this population.
• Heart of a Lion, Warrior Woman Gives Birth, by Mary Cooper 
  Many OBs will tell you that women with a bicornuate uterus must always give birth via a c-section; the same goes for a breech baby. Mary Cooper (and the mother) debunk this theory with this successful breech birth to a woman with a bicornuate uterus.
• The Choice to Birth My Baby, by Colleen Uszak 
  This companion piece to Mary Cooper’s article, describes a breech homebirth from the perspective of the mother.
• Homebirth: Living a Life-transforming Experience Beyond Fear, by Fernando Molina 
  Dr. Molina reviews the literature on the effect of fear on birthing and suggests how birthworkers can help their clients overcome or avoid it.
• Case Study of Loss of Prenatal Care during Covid-19 Lockdown in Kathmandu, Nepal, by Joy Hearn 
  Covid-19 has wreaked havoc on health care, including pregnancy and birth, throughout the world. This case study relates a situation in Nepal that was affected. Fortunately, it has a happy ending.
• Increase Your Breast Milk Supply with This Dairy-free Milk Tonic, by Ameya Duprey
  This short, educational article shares benefits of and instructions for making a rejuvenative tonic using almonds.
• Village Birth, by Sister MorningStar
  “The power and superiority of homebirth is not in statistics, politics, academia, wimyn’s empowerment, or even the realms of species preservation. The power of homebirth is that it belongs to the Village.” This quote from the article sums up why homebirth is so important.
• Why Acupuncture Is Beneficial and Safe during Pregnancy, by Krystal L. Kinnunen 
  Learn about how why and how acupuncture is a beneficial adjunct to pregnancy, and how the author used it in her own pregnancy.
• Delphi’s Birth Story, by Carmen De Alba 
  A lovely seaside birth story.
• Reclaiming Tradition: Legacy Power Voice, by Jamarah Amani

 = Membership Article.