Theme: Prematurity
Learn about prematurity—its causes, ways to prevent it and how best to handle it—in this issue of Midwifery Today magazine. The best of the best have shared their birth wisdom with us in this issue. Michel Odent, obstetrician and midwife supporter, has included an article on prematurity he previously wrote in French and has now translated into English. Herbalist Susun S. Weed shares some of her knowledge on herbs, and midwives Diane Goslin, Sister MorningStar and Marlene Waechter draw from their decades of experience to help educate us on this important topic. Also, we are sad to say that we recently lost two heroes in the natural birth world: Stephen Gaskin and Sharon Evans. You will read tributes to each of these people, who were much loved and are incredibly missed.
Learn what a Midwifery Today Online Membership can do for you. = Membership Article.
The dynamic influence of the Gaskin duo reaches far and wide, and in this touching piece, Ina May gives tribute to her beloved husband, Stephen, who recently passed away. Read more…. Tribute to a Maverick: Stephen Gaskin, 1935–2014
Emily Robinson—emilyrobinsonphotoblog.com
Midwife Sister MorningStar shares the kind of community she is a part of and what prenatal care within their village philosophy looks like. Read more…. Village Prenatals
[Photo by Don Guadalupe Leopoldo Hernández Aguilar]
Wanda and Mandy enjoying the view at Sumidero Canyon (Cañón del Sumidero) near Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, Mexico
Midwifery Today staff member Wanda Walker shares her recent experience visiting midwives in Belize and Mexico. Read more…. Journey with a Birth Theme
“When assessing the dietary needs of any pregnant woman, a care provider must analyze each woman individually, taking into account her activity level.”
Leilani Rogers—photosbylei.com
Even amidst disaster, life still happens and babies are still born. Veteran midwife Vicki Penwell teaches on how to handle premature births in disaster zones.
Sophia Williams—sophiabirth.com
From her many years of experience, midwife Marlene Waechter shares her wisdom of premature birth and what she feels are its main causes.
Read more…. Malnutrition, Unhealthy Lifestyles and Scheduled Deliveries: The Causes of Prematurity
Anne Hurlbut—annostudios.com
Midwife Diane Goslin has helped thousands of babies into the world and so she shares her knowledge with MT readers concerning premature birth.
Photo by Karen Abeyasekere
Nutrition is a huge factor in the prevention of prematurity, but that does not seem to be known by the medical model practitioners. A healthy diet is the most important factor in having a healthy baby! Read more…. Prematurity Is Preventable
Sophia Williams—sophiabirth.com
The concept of prematurity is a key to understanding the human phenomenon since, compared with other mammals, human beings are born in a state of neuromotor immaturity. This implies that human beings complete their maturation in a social environment.
Leilani Rogers—photosbylei.com
I’ve always thought it interesting that in nearly 40 years as a midwife in private practice, I have never had a case of prematurity. Last year my daughter Kalista had a threatened premature labor with contractions and bleeding at 30 weeks, yet she went forward to enjoy a second home waterbirth of a full-term healthy son. It was no small feat; it took a village to turn around the stresses that had built up in this young 96-pound mother’s life 1000 miles from home with a recent move, adjusting/active toddler, aging dog, dying mother-in-law and stressed husband working out of state most weeks. As the symptoms presented and progressed alarmingly, we created a team and a plan to work around the clock to reverse the impending labor. In-house help, herbs, food every two hours, nutritious rich soups and drinks, loving child care and time for bed rest, meditation, peace, quiet, more rest and ways to talk about fears, concerns and her ideal birth were ways we began to give back to a woman who was giving her all to mother the next generation.
Photo by Gregg Garner—mynovabirth.com
A difficult shoulder dystocia birth story comes first, followed by a healing homebirth. Read more…. Two of My Birth Stories
Emily Robinson—emilyrobinsonphotoblog.com
Student midwife Karin Peacock has witnessed the normalcy of breech birth, so she asked the obvious question: Why aren’t more breech babies born at home? Read more…. Why Aren’t More Breech Babies Born at Home?
