Theme: Homebirth
Homebirth is a topic that our readers can never get enough of, so we made it the theme of this issue. The offerings range from four unique birth stories, two articles that advise what to take to a homebirth, midwives’ thoughts on homebirth in the past and present, and a number of other articles dealing with related subjects, such as complications and prolonged second stage.
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Photos by Shea Hardy Baker
Our doula arrived first, perfectly placing herself in the moment by calmly yet excitedly connecting with both my husband and me. Our midwife and her assistant joined us soon after—entering like birth angels—and by candlelight they quietly set up everything they needed and checked in with me. Read more…. It Takes a Team: A Sunrise Homebirth
Photo by Kourtnie Scholz—kedocumentary.com
I wanted to write solely about a beautiful undisturbed homebirth. I am a storyteller by nature. Stories are the facts of life. Read more…. HomeBirth—The Power of One
This practical article covers important items that a homebirth midwife should keep in her to car so she is prepared for anything.
Read more…. The Homebirth Midwife’s Portable Office: Her Car!
Lynsey Stone—dfwbirthphotographer.com
Birth in the Netherlands—the wealthy country long famous for its high homebirth rate—is going through rapid changes that aren’t so different from those in other countries with plenty of hospitals and technology. Read more…. Choosing Freedom Means Taking Responsibility
The author challenges the status quo of time limits in labor. With illustrative photos, she shares her personal experiences with long second stage labors with moulding—noting the lack of documented causation between the status quo and adverse outcomes.
Read more…. Three Cases of Prolonged Second Stage Labor: Lasting 14, 17, and 24 Hours
Natalia Walth—nataliawalth.com
I was asked to write an article exploring the question “Why choose homebirth?” my midwife brain automatically went to things that midwives think about: the vast amount of statistical data about the safety of homebirth… Read more…. Why Choose Homebirth
Wikimedia Commons—Nurul Hanifah
The goal of managing group B streptococcus (GBS) is prevention of maternal chorioamnionitis and neonatal infection (such as respiratory disease, general sepsis or meningitis). Careful management helps to protect life and health. There are various ways to manage GBS, which we can consider and apply appropriately in midwifery practice.
Photo by Lydia Bravo-Taylor
Recently, I had a client who was 15 weeks pregnant ask me to help relieve pregnancy-induced pain she was experiencing in her hands. Upon palpation of the lower arms there seemed to be a cramp or spasm in the muscles of the forearm area. Read more…. A New Relief Technique for a Common Pregnancy Complaint
Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca)
Giving birth at home is safe, and it can be fun, too. Make it safer, and more fun, with simple herbal remedies to help you deal with both the ordinary and extraordinary events of your birth.
From bacteriologic and immunologic perspectives, there are two kinds of twenty-first-century births: birth at home and birth “elsewhere.”
Photo by istockphoto.com/portfolio/RomoloTavani
Our developing insights into the microbiome have the potential to change everything regarding homebirth for moms—if we can get the word out about its importance to a healthy life. We will need to work on this from all spheres of influence. Read more…. There’s No Place like Home
Katie Mathis—katiemathisphoto.com
Homebirth. What do we think of when we mention homebirth? Read more…. Homebirth, Now and Then
