Theme: Labor Complications
Make sure you receive the next edition of Midwifery Today magazine, which hits newsstands, mailboxes, and Midwifery Today online this December. Our Winter 2018 issue is dedicated to the topic “Labor Complications” and is filled with clinical articles, vital information, midwifery tricks of the trade, gorgeous birth photos, and delightful homebirth stories from around the world.
“Labor Complications” can occur at anytime, expected or not, and midwives need to be knowledgeable about and prepared for them. This Winter 2018 issue offers a refresher for some of those complications—including umbilical cord prolapse and learning to handle the unexpected. In addition, it includes the usual birth stories and practical advice for midwives and doulas, along with birth practices, customs, and rituals in three different countries, and enjoyable writings by Sister MorningStar, Michel Odent, Jane Beal, the continuing series “The Portable Midwife” by Regina Willette, and much more!
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Photo by Cristian Newman
Complications of childbirth are frightening for moms-to-be—yet they exist. Luckily, in our present day and age, there are effective treatments for most. Learning to deal with complications—to bring moms and babies through safely—is an important part of a midwife’s learning. Read more…. Complications of Childbirth
Editor’s note: This article first appeared in Midwifery Today, Issue 128, Winter 2018.Join Midwifery Today Online Membership Birth Bag Helpers I have an Arnica 10M I made, which will melt a stubborn anterior lip like butter! I also carry a couple of homeopathics in liquid form, which I tend to think work more quickly. A half teaspoon of baking soda, given every hour to hour and a half, for a tired uterus works like a charm. It works even better if given in Drip Drops oral hydration solution (available at drug stores). I also give a little bottle of Intimate Solutions Peri Cleanse for every mom’s peri bottle—it heals things so fast!—Kristine Tawater I use cramp bark for afterpains, Rescue Remedy for a mom who has been working really hard and getting tired. Skull cap tincture helps if a mom needs to take the edge off her pain and is having an extremely hard time relaxing. Clary sage oil will stimulate a start-stop labor. Shepherd’s purse and motherwort, if needed, help for postpartum bleeding. Peppermint oil is great for energy when it comes time to push and to encourage first void after birth.—Nubia Earth Martin After Ease, Rescue Remedy, honey sticks, blue and black cohosh tincture.—Martha Whitcher I love Angelica for placental release! Rebozo for sure, clary sage, homeopathic kit, and liquid antimonium tart for those wet babies are all important in a birth bag.—Amy Elizabeth Yunnan Paiyao and More One-third vial of Yunnan Paiyao in warm water stops bleeding almost immediately.—Jeni Rector I’ve dumped Yunnan Paiyao powder onto a torn vaginal blood vessel and it stopped bleeding very quickly. I could see the vessel pumping, but it receded to where I couldn’t get a clamp on it.—Sunshine Tomlin Yunnan Paiyao for postpartum hemorrhage, as well as essential oils (EOs):… Read more…. Tricks of the Trade – Issue 128
Photo by Javier Allegue Barros
Complications are why we need midwives. If birth were completely normal all the time we midwives would not be needed—but, indeed, we are needed. It is so important that we all learn and gather the necessary skills and didactic and emotional knowledge we can before we take responsibility for a mother and baby. One of the great keys to a good birth outcome is knowing when and how to act and to do so quickly. Otherwise, we can keep hands off and be the quiet midwife in the corner—unobtrusive and loving. We need to be careful not to disturb the process. Read more…. Let’s Move Birth in the Right Direction
Photo by Nick Owuor
Poem by Lina
Three Different Births – A New Chance – In Control of Birth – An Unexpected Cesarean – Min Yi’s Miraculous Maternity
Photo by Mae Mu
News about the adverse effects of plastics has been abundant in the media lately, causing many consumers to alter their purchasing habits. Many of the chemicals used to make plastics today were grandfathered into the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976 without testing for safety. However, more and more research is showing adverse effects from some of these chemicals.
