Issue 100

Midwifery Today Issue 100Theme: Third Stage

The third stage of labor is “a powerful and mysterious time; more important than we acknowledge and more complex than we know.” From the initial signs of active labor to baby’s first breaths, we explore the various facets of third stage, including what happens beyond the birth room door, a father’s reflections on labor and controversial issues surrounding third stage “management.” Multicultural considerations of midwifery and birth stories from around the world are also included. Plus, we are celebrating our 100th issue with a special spread dedicated to our favorite question and answer lists. We asked—you answered!

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The Circle Born at Home

This touching account focuses on “the story of what happens at homebirth, but outside the birth room door.” Around a kitchen table, a circle of friendship and wisdom is formed between midwives, family members and friends.

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 Read more…. The Circle Born at Home

Velamentous Birth Story

A midwife shares her experience of a velemenous birth and recounts the importance of trusting the process of birth, no matter how unusual it may be.

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 Read more…. Velamentous Birth Story

Monsoon Baby: Born in Water, by the Water

Like stormy weather, birth brings “people together in the community to laugh and smile about the situation and to make the best of it!”

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 Read more…. Monsoon Baby: Born in Water, by the Water

More on Human Rights for Childbearing Women

Although many women experience coercive and traumatic hospital births, others fully trust their OB/GYN and prefer to birth in a clinical setting. Women must choose their allies in birth carefully while remaining mindful that castigating all OB care providers does a great disservice to those medical professionals who observe and respect human and childbirth rights.

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 Read more…. More on Human Rights for Childbearing Women

With the Grace of God We Shall Deliver This Baby

While in England, a green Italian midwife struggles to help her African client deliver and quickly realizes the implications of cultural differences in midwifery.

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 Read more…. With the Grace of God We Shall Deliver This Baby

Adrenaline in Labour

Sometimes birth is a peaceful, gentle event. Other times a cushion is needed to intercept the blows from a mother’s fists. One father tells the story of an adrenaline-fueled homebirth and how he survived it.

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 Read more…. Adrenaline in Labour

Acute Distress and PTSD Following Childbirth: A Complex Longitudinal Case Study

Posttraumatic stress disorder affects a growing number of women, impacting the transition to motherhood in negative ways. This article questions current medical models and suggests that maternal trauma may be avoided by addressing dehumanizing birth practices.

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 Read more…. Acute Distress and PTSD Following Childbirth: A Complex Longitudinal Case Study

Six Days, Two Healthy Babies, One Extraordinary Birth

Trust, intuition, and access to loving care coalesce to help a mother birth twins over a span of two days.

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 Read more…. Six Days, Two Healthy Babies, One Extraordinary Birth

We asked; you answered! – Issue 100

In honor of Midwifery Today’s 100th
issue:

We asked you, our readers and Facebook friends,
to share the midwifery-related people, places and things you love.

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 Read more…. We asked; you answered! – Issue 100

Returning to Traditional Midwifery

As normal birth becomes medicalized and fear replaces faith in the birthing process, traditional and considerate midwifery continues to present a path toward happy, healthy families. Read more…. Returning to Traditional Midwifery

Third Stage of Labor: Hands Off and Have Patience!

Many families are surprised when I say that I do not touch the baby if all is well, and I do not clamp or cut the umbilical cord until after the placenta has been birthed. They are always curious to know why I do this, since the vast majority of obstetricians clamp and cut the cord immediately, and even a good number of homebirth midwives clamp and cut the cord before the placenta has been birthed.

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 Read more…. Third Stage of Labor: Hands Off and Have Patience!

Leaving Well Alone in the Third Stage of Labour

Third stage represents a time of amazing physical and emotional changes for mothers and their newborns, and this transitional period is best managed by Mother Nature while attendants patiently wait in the background.

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 Read more…. Leaving Well Alone in the Third Stage of Labour

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