Issue 137

Spring 2021

Theme: Shoulder Dystocia

Shoulder dystocia is a complication that is infrequent, but midwives need to be up to date in their knowledge of it and its resolution. This issue addresses the mindset needed for success, as well as steps and maneuvers to resolve it. Also included are the final article in a series by Vicki Penwell on providing care in a developing country, the second in a series by Jo Grace on serving women with autism, and more from Sister MorningStar and Michel Odent, among others.

Cover photo by Jennifer Hamilton of Mamarazzi Photography (mamarazziphotographytx.com). Jennifer is a professional birth photographer, videographer, and doula in San Antonio, Texas. She has always had a love for documenting life’s moments in photos. Her passion for all things motherhood and especially birth began with the homebirth of her second child. She currently specializes in documenting maternity, birth, and newborns through the first year, with her husband, Bryan. She loves to watch parents grow into relationships with their new babies. Jennifer realized her desire to become a certified doula in 2020 and is now able to serve families in even more ways. In addition to support during birth, she enjoys helping new families acclimate to life with a newborn as a postpartum doula. She and her husband are both proud to have served their country in the Air Force and enjoy serving the military community in their area. Together they have four kids (two girls and two boys) and one grandbaby (girl).

Pictured: This was baby number 3 and we all had an idea it was a good-sized baby.  Even so, her midwives (Robin Rabenschlag and Julie Hatfield of Westover Hills Birth Center) were a bit surprised when he tipped the scales at 10 lb 2.5 oz.  It was what they refer to as a “butter birth.”  Her labor lasted about four hours and he was birthed without issue and without so much as a tear.  Due to Covid-19 precautions, his siblings were not present at the birth center, but his big sisters were elated to see him on Facetime and to meet him when he got home a few hours later!

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Columns

• From the Editor: Complications and Fear—Jan Tritten
  Midwifery Today’s Editor shares some experiences with shoulder dystocia, noting that calmness and having a partner are two essentials for successfully resolving this complication.
• Tricks of the Trade – Issue 137
• Quote of the Quarter
• MT 137 Media Reviews—Dianne Garland and Cheryl K. Smith
• Wisdom of the Midwives: Shoulder Dystocia
• Midwifery and Childbirth News – Issue 137
• Photo Album – Issue 137
• Marion’s Message: Shoulder Dystocia: Midwifery Care—Marion Toepke McLean
  Marion does not disappoint with this detailed explication of shoulder dystocia. She addresses what is occurring physiologically, what the experts have to say about it, and the steps to take and not to take to successfully resolve it. This issue is worth the money for this article alone.

Features

• Resolving Shoulder Dystocia with the Gaskin Maneuver or McRoberts Maneuver—Jane Beal
  Midwife and writer Jane Beal shares her experiences dealing with shoulder dystocia in both the US and Uganda. She notes that this is a condition that must be addresses, or it will not resolve. She shares techniques through both graphics and the most common maneuvers.
• PostPartum Care in the Context of a Developing Country—Vicki Penwell
  In this fourth part of a series on the provision of midwifery care in a developing country, Vicki notes that postpartum care get short shrift in the overall scheme of pregnancy care. She address cultural issues, which can have a sometimes negative effect on postpartum care, the top four issues that may arise, and how to care for and educate women. She also introduces us to the Non-inflatable Anti-Shock Garment and its use, and introduces us to a Postpartum Apgar Score that she developed.
• Using Quinton Hypertonic for Postpartum Issues—Francoise “Mamacita” Souverville
  This midwife tells us about a product that she has found to be very helpful in various issues postpartum.
• Comment Jerez Les Hémorragies—Francoise “Mamacita” Souverville
• A Unique Midwifery Pathway—Lisa Goldstein
  There are many pathways to midwifery as a profession. Lisa Goldstein shares with us her unique path, which required several wonderful mentors and associates for her lifelong learning.
• A Provider Who Cannot Provide—Judy Fisher
  This story deals with the dilemma for midwives who are at the mercy of their licensing and employers when asked to be available for a freebirth or other situation that is outside of the parameters that have been set for them.
• Uniqueness—Sister MorningStar
  While mothers share the commonality of giving birth, each of us is unique. Sister weaves the words to describe how mothers and babies have different potentials and different needs—something midwives need to be aware of to serve them best.
• Shoulder Dystocia in the Realm of Mysteries—Michel Odent
  Dr Odent admits that he has never had to deal with a shoulder dystocia, and goes on to discuss fetal ejection reflex.
• Reasonable Adjustments Returned My Joy in Pregnancy—Joanna Grace
  This second in a series of articles by Jo Grace discusses how her autism affected her experience of pregnancy care. She gives many suggestions that can help other non-neurotypical women who are pregnant, as well as the birthworkers who serve them, make up for or work with their differences to lead to a positive experience.

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