Photo by Jimmy Conover
This article, excerpted from the book Birthing Your Placenta, discusses the question of optimal cord clamping. Rather than quickly clamping, this well-documented article shares data that show the need to wait; even a short wait is better than none at all. Read more…. The Benefits of Waiting
Solo midwives will relate to this true story about a transport that disappointed both mother and midwife. She touches on burnout, expectations, and the need for a community of midwives to support each other.
Read more…. Birthing at the Fork in the Road: When Transports Hurt
“Physiologic” third stage of labor means that this stage happens on its own—with no interference or treatment whatever—and is within the bounds of normal functioning. Read more…. Physiologic Third Stage
Tricks of the Trade – Issue 133
Photo by Phil Botha
Poem for a Shackled Midwife – Poetry – Issue 133
Photo by Paul Schafer
Media Reviews – Issue 133 Read more…. Media Reviews – Issue 133
Photo by L.W.
Midwifery and Childbirth News – Issue 133
Jennifer Hamilton—mamarazziphotographytx.com
Stella’s Birth Story: Photo Album – Issue 133
Midwifery Today is now an online publication—which is very exciting to us! This change allows us to include value-added material with articles. You will find links that provide further information, videos, or sounds, and there is no limit to the length of articles—long or short. We can include photos without coming up against page limitations that prevent us from fitting them in. I think that offers a lot to our readers. Read more…. Let’s Keep Making Birth Better
Photo by Hu Chen
Wisdom of the Midwives – Issue 133
Chios Island Hospital, Greece
Photos provided by author
It’s 6 o’clock in the morning. Inigo, our Spanish physician, receives an early phone call from the camp police. They think a woman is in labor. He wakes me up. Our volunteer’s small house is very quiet. Everyone’s asleep and I quickly get dressed, putting on a sweater over my pajamas, pants, scarf, coat, and gloves. We’re taking off to the camp. The roads are empty, it’s dark, and we’re making the trip to the camp in half the time.
Sister MorningStar, a Mexican midwife, and Doña Cuca
Photos provided by author
I trotted toward the little Mexican village of Salitrillo, trying to keep up with Doña Juanita who was two decades my senior. We were going to make four prenatal home visits where I would observe Doña Juanita offering the Mexican sobada (massage) and rebozo (sacred cloth). All the Mexican traditional midwives used these skills as part of their regular prenatal care. Although I had observed for nearly a decade, I still marveled at what wisdom and art lay in the assessment and application of these simple hands-on tools—oil and cloth. Read more…. Village Midwife: Where Has All the Wisdom Gone?
