Issue 90, Summer 2009Theme: Healing From Sexual Abuse and Trauma
Michele Anderson of Pinkle Toes Photography is a lifestyle photographer in Austin, Texas, where she provides bold and original portraits for families: maternity, birth, newborn, children and seniors. View her galleries and latest works at www.pinkletoes.com.
Learn what a Midwifery Today Online Membership can do for you. = Membership Article.
Photo provided by the author
The author tells us why she is involved in good birth, and how it can be healing for women with a history of abuse.
Photo by Wes Hicks
This timely piece describes the problem of yeast infections and offers some solutions to resolving them so they don’t disrupt the breastfeeding relationship.
Photo by Simone Dalmeri
A physician shares pertinent information on toxoplasmosis.
Photo by Jenna Norman
One of the authors of the pathbreaking book, When Survivors Give Birth: Understanding and Healing the Effects of Early Sexual Abuse on Childbearing Women, describes many of the ways early abuse or trauma may negatively affect the survivors’ later experiences with childbearing and offers some tips for midwives for providing sensitive and effective care and support. Read more…. Early Trauma, Its Potential Impact on the Childbearing Woman, and the Role of the Midwife
Photo provided by the author
A bittersweet story of birth and death.
Read more…. Birth of Anisa: Transforming sorrow into light through love and informed decisions
Tom Chamberlain—thomaschamberlain.com
Solace for Mothers is a new organization that was formed to help mothers who have been traumatized. Author Sharon Storton shares some of the services provided and why this is an effective program. Read more…. Solace for Mothers
Photo by Larm Rmah
A companion article to “Creating a Safe Space for Healing,” this article gives tips on how to make essential medical procedures as non-threatening as possible for women trauma survivors.
Read more…. Modifying Medical Procedure for the Trauma Survivor
Photos by April Hallwood
Women who have been abused and traumatized may experience a variety of issues related to pregnancy and birth. Maryl Smith discusses developing awareness of signs and triggers, as well as how to work with such women and help them feel safe. Read more…. Creating the Space for Healing: Antepartum Care in Women with Trauma History
Marion shares her experiences as a volunteer in Uganda.
What had been allowed to happen to me had left me scarred and insecure. I could not trust anyone. … My wife was rejecting me for our children, and all my childhood fears of loneliness had come flooding back. The birth of my children had opened up a Pandora’s Box and there was no place to hide now. Read more…. Child Is Father to the Man: A Survivor of Childhood Sexual Abuse Speaks Out
