Issue 88

Winter 2008

Theme: Women’s Experience of Pregnancy and Birth

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Columns

• Poetry: Motherhood (Aaron and Audrey)—Diane Klammer
• From the Editor: Molly and Mary—Jan Tritten
  Jan tells two amazing midwives serving the Amish and Mennonite communities.
• Networking
• Tricks of the Trade
• Marion’s Message: International Midwife Assistance—Marion Toepke McLean
  Marion shares her experiences volunteering and teaching in Afghanistan.
• Media Reviews
• News
• Classified Advertising
• Calendar
• Photo Album
  This beautiful photo essay highlights the work of photographer and midwife Hariette Hartigan, and her new book Brought to Earth by Birth.

Features

• The Physical Impact of Cesareans—Pamela Udy
  Sometimes family and friends don’t want to hear about the difficulties that new mothers have to deal with after a cesarean, instead saying, “At least you have a healthy baby.” Pamela Udy, President of the International Cesarean Awareness Network (ICAN), addresses the physical impact that cesarean surgery can have on women. In the next issue, she will address the emotional impact.
• A Midwife’s Gift: Olivia’s Birth Story—Laura Thompson Shive
  A midwife helps to guide a third-time mom through her home VBAC.
• 7 Tips for Creating a Calm, Joyous Homebirth—Gloria Lemay
  As more women turn to homebirth they need to know what to ask potential providers before becoming a client. The tips from midwifery activist Gloria Lemay can be used by midwives to compare to their practices, and by pregnant moms to guide their choice in or assess the care provided by a midwife.
• The Absence of Fear—Jasmine Rae Ojala
  Not dwelling on fear created by her previous c-section, the author shares her confidence in birthing her second child at home.
• Non-Interventive Pelvimetry—Betty Peckman
  This excerpt from Christian Midwifery provides a way to assess the pelvises of pregnant women without the intervention of ultrasound or other interventions by measuring the pelvis and categorizing it by type. From the 1950s and 1960s, it provides a more palatable option for women and midwives who want to avoid unnecessary intervention.
• Determining Relational Needs in Challenging Clients—Maryl Smith
  Midwives sometimes have to deal with emotionally challenging clients. This article identifies some of the personality characteristics that may lead to problems and how to deal with them.
• Mother’s Experience—Elizabeth Beachy
  Birth rarely goes according to expectations and that was the case with this breech baby.
• Father’s Experience of Birth—Ervin Beachy
  A breech homebirth from a father’s perspective.
• Mars Attacks—Judy Slome Cohain
  A light-hearted yet serious look at medical interventions in birth.
• Understanding Plastics—Blue Bradley
  Are plastics dangerous for pregnant women and infants? This timely article looks at the research and clarifies the concerns.
• The Birth of Sage—A Homebirth Reflection—Analeah Lovere
  This story tells of how a whole family celebrates a homebirth.
• Pregnancy and Birth with Generalized Anxiety Disorder—Jennifer Vanderlaan
  Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) afflicts a huge number of people, affecting more women than men. The author shares her experiences supporting a pregnant woman with GAD, and what worked during the perinatal period.
• Aidan’s Story—Robin Barbier
  We tend to think of pregnancy as a happy time, but that overlooks the fact that many pregnancies end before term. Read this story of one woman’s experience with pregnancy loss.
• Midwifery Today Birth Experiences
  Some Midwifery Today staff share their experiences of birth through short stories and pictures.
• Postdate Protocols for Homebirth Practice—Paula M. Hostle
  Pregnancies that go beyond 42 weeks can cause concern for moms-to-be and midwives. This article proposes protocols for adjusting due dates and otherwise dealing with postdate pregnancies.
• A Surprise Posterior Brow Birth—Ann Naffziger
  A birth story about the challenges of birth and post-birth repercussions, with a baby in posterior position with a brow presentation.
• Placenta Medicine: My Story—Tiffany Rosenbrock
  This mother became a believer in placenta medicine after using encapsulated placenta to prevent postpartum depression and assist in successful breastfeeding.
• Healthy Transitions—Pregnancy to Motherhood with Homeopathic Medicine—Piper Martin
  Classical homeopath Piper Martin writes about the use of homeopathic remedies for pre- and post-pregnancy care.
• From the Homefront to the Frontlines—Ashley Booth Young
  A labor and delivery nurse and aspiring CNM gets a different perspective as a support person at her sister’s empowering homebirth.
• The Call to Midwifery—Diana Janopaul
  Every calling to midwifery is different. This essay describes the author’s transformation to the profession she likes best of all.
• Nicholas Antonio—Ruth Stearns Pass
  A midwife and a doula help the author have the birth she desires, in the hospital, in this birth story.

International Midwife

• My Birthing Experience: Inti Imani Albarracin-Miranda—Vivienne Miranda
  A successful homebirth in Puerto Rico takes an unexpected turn.
• Chickens—Jayne Heron and Cassy McNamara
• Guatemala: Simple and Relevant
  This lighthearted comparison between chicken farming and birth ways elucidates the situation in the UK.
• Guatemala: Simple y Pertinente
  In both English and Spanish, this article describes their work with midwives in several Guatemalan villages.
• Remembrance for Nobody—Michele Klein
  Michele Klein notes that, among Jews, there is no formal recognition for the death of a baby in the womb, and asks that we “open our hearts to the silent mourners who have no memorial or grave to stand by.”
• Midwifery: A Filipina Perspective—Kate Prendergast
  Don’t miss this great interview with a Filipina midwife and teacher, which covers her perspective on birth and midwifery.

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