Issue 141

Spring 2022

Theme: The Role of the Midwife

Midwives have many roles when they enter into a relationship with a pregnant woman. This issue contains articles that address those roles—which are myriad—as well as an article on the role of doulas. Along with that, we have included an article by Vicki Penwell discussing the importance of the first 1000 days after birth, especially in developing countries; a poem contrasting the midwife with the obstetrician; several birth stories; and reprinted chapter on promoting human rights in childbirth; and much more.

Cover photo by Samantha Morrone. Pictured: Midwife Lois Wilson holding baby Josie, a triumphant and beautiful 10 lb homebirth after two cesareans (HBA2C). Lois is a traditional midwife with a practice based in Matamoras, Pennsylvania. Read more about Josie’s birth here.

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Columns

• Poem: Midwife vs. Obstetrician, by Peter Waldo
• From the Editor: Midwives Roles, by Jan Tritten
  Jan shares some birth stories and her experiences as a midwife, highlighting many of the roles a midwife plays.
• Tricks of the Trade
• Quote of the Quarter
• Media Reviews
• Midwifery and Childbirth News
• Photo Album
• Marion’s Message: The Role of the Midwife, by Marion Toepke McLean
  Marion uses her extensive experience in Uganda and knowledge of international midwifery to focus on how the midwife can help to prevent both “too little too late” and “too much too soon” errors in childbirth.

Features

• Royal Birth for Platon, by Sister MorningStar
  With Russia in the news in a bad way, this word medicine provides a positive spin on a Russian family, who Sister serves in childbirth on a visit to that country.
• A Thousand Hats, by Nancy Wainer
  In this comprehensive and fun article, Nancy illustrates how midwives fulfill so many roles.
• Promoting Human Rights in Childbirth as a Solution to Obstetric Violence, by Sylvia Bahr
  The author, who serves in Honduras, highlights her work to eliminate obstetrics, as well as that of other women who have received the Human Rights in Childbirth Champion Award. We have a long way to go and are grateful for their work.
• Josie’s Triumphant Home VBAC, by Lois Wilson
  This birth story demonstrates that “once a cesarean, always a cesarean” does not have to be true, as long as we have midwives to advocate for women.
• The Role of the Midwife in the First 1000 Days, by Vicki Penwell
  Regular contributor Vicki Penwell, who serves in the Philippines, introduces us to the concept of the first 1000 days, rather than just six weeks to follow up with a postpartum mother and baby—an idea that gives every child a better start in life.
• Let There Be Life!: Momnibus and the Birth Revolution, by Diana Paul
  Maternal and child mortality are excessively high in the United States. The author shares with us two initiatives—one statewide in California and the other federal—that are aimed at trying to decrease these numbers.
• Body Secrets Revealed, by Elaine Stillerman
  This massage therapist shares some of the secrets the body reveals as a woman goes through the stages of birth.
• The Role of Doulas, by Teresa Fox Magri
  Having a doula provide care at birth is becoming more common. Teresa outlines what a doula is, and what she does and doesn’t do.
• Reclaiming the Initiation of Childbirth, by Isa Gucciardi
• Wisdom of the Midwives: Autonomy

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