Issue 149

Theme: The Strength of Midwifery
The strength of midwifery has not changed much over the years, despite changes in technology and medicine. This issue includes a panoply of views from numerous birth providers.

Cover photo by Suzanne Ledbetter 2020

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Columns

• Editor’s Corner: Celebrating the Challenges of Midwifery, by Shannon Mitchell
  Despite the challenges that midwives face, midwives continue to recognize their role and meet them head-on.
• Tricks of the Trade
• Quote of the Quarter
• Media Reviews
• Midwifery and Childbirth News

Features

• Midwifing the Portal Door, by Sister MorningStar
  Sister MorningStar tells us, through real world ex about the challenges faced by birthing women and the need for caring villages, not just hospitals.
• The Strength of Midwifery, by Dianne Garland
  The author discusses the strengths of head, heart, and hands and how the profession has changed and midwives have stood up to embrace those changes.
• The Power of Cultural Conditioning, by Michel Odent
  In this piece, Dr. Odent describes some of the physiological characteristics related to and affecting birth.
• The Strength of Midwifery: Evidence on Two Sides, by Vicki Penwell
  Regular contributor Vicki Penwell shares the Mercy in Action experience and model and writes about how safety and satisfaction are two sides to the strength of midwifery.
• Strength of Midwifery Lies in Support System, by Rachel Wilson
  Midwives and midwifery students share experiences as they serve women in birth. Supporting each other is key.
• Wisdom and Knowing Limitations in Midwifery, by Eudine Stevens
  Not all births operate on a schedule and problems can occur. The author shares several birth stories and how her belief that God was there to silently help her through to success.
• A Week of Preemi-um Surprises, by Marlene Waechter
  Birthing premature babies requires different approaches than those at term. Marlene shares how she handled some of these, in her service to the Mennonite community.
• What the Strength of Midwifery Is and Is Not, by Lois Wilson
  Rather than hospital criteria such as procedures, access to medicine, access to insurance, and more, this essay argues that it is our ancient, universal, independent roots, and our fundamental belief in the safe and sacred nature of undisturbed birth.
• Wisdom of the Midwives

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