Others have made this point before, but it bears repeating: Female genital mutilation takes place in the developed world on a large scale in the form of medically unnecessary episiotomies and caesarean sections, or what could be classified as FGM Types 5 and 6. Read more…. Stop Cutting
Jennifer Mason—jennifermasonphotography.com
It is now known that fear and anxiety enhance levels of adrenaline, which inhibits the release of oxytocin, making labor and birth longer and more difficult. Read more…. Connection and Empathy
Monet Moutrie—monetnicole.com
In this article, midwife Bonnie U. Gruenberg raises awareness around the issue of mental health stresses associated with the profession of midwifery.
Read more…. The Cost of Caring: Midwifery and Traumatic Stress
iStockphoto.com/portfolio/13-smile
A wonderful article on the benefits of motherwort for pregnant and lactating mothers.
Mothers worldwide are crying out for respectful, gentle maternal health services. The nightmare of “prenatal scare” instead of prenatal care has mothers-to-be crying after visits with the Ob/Gyn. Clearly, it is time for an awakening in birth. This is what so many of us birthkeepers are holding in our hearts. We devote our days and nights to supporting individual women to have choices in childbirth, while working on the broader, global front of human rights in childbirth.
Monet Moutrie—monetnicole.com
Midwife Beverly Beech discusses the importance of human rights in maternity care.
Lynsey Stone—dfwbirthphotographer.com
International midwife Vicki Penwell teaches a structured approach for reflecting on the work of a group and identifying strengths and weaknesses and areas for improvement.
Read more…. After Action Review: A Guide for Midwifery Students and Preceptors
Monet Moutrie—monetnicole.com
We’ve also all heard expressions of exhaustion and relief from the mother and seen a temporary lack of interest in her baby. The exclamations might sound more like these: “It’s over! I can’t believe it’s over!” “Can I just lie here for a minute?” “I can’t hold the baby right now. You take it.” ”Please just leave me alone right now.” “I’m so glad it’s over.” “We’re never doing this again!” Sometimes it takes a while before the mother can turn her attention from the intensity of the birth to her baby. Read more…. First Hours after Birth: Family Integration and Mutual Regulation
Babies should be treated with the utmost respect, dignity and love. Their first birth minutes are their welcome to the planet. This is where they will first learn what being on earth is all about. Read more…. First, Do No Harm to Newborns
Leilani Rogers—photosbylei.com
Long before anyone had thought to coin the term tandem nursing, I was doing it. Back when I started having kids in 1971, breastfeeding was at an all-time low in our country, and so was homebirth. …
Photograph—iStockphoto.com/stockdevil
I don’t heal babies. They heal themselves. My midwifery experience compels me to carefully consider what exactly is needed in each situation. I always ask, ‘What would happen if I do less?’ My goal is to offer the smallest intervention necessary to stimulate the body to find balance. That is all it takes.
Read more…. Twenty-plus Years of Infant Craniosacral Therapy Practice
Emily Robinson—emilyrobinsonphotoblog.com
A great discussion surrounding the use of infants’ cord blood. Midwife Robin Lim primarily works in Indonesia where many women suffer from postpartum hemorrhage. As a preventive measure, she teaches people to wait an extended amount of time before severing the umbilical cord.
