“Hey, Facebook, breastfeeding is not obscene!”

“Recently, Facebook has started [to not allow] people to post profile pictures of babies nursing. The pictures have been reported as 'obscene' and have been removed, their posters warned not to repost or fear being kicked off of Facebook. We're wondering: what about a baby breastfeeding is obscene? Especially in comparison to MANY other pictures posted all over Facebook that really are obscene.” [ PHOTO BY CAROLINE BROWN ] READ MORE…

Learn about hemorrhage and third stage difficulties

Did you know that many episodes of excessive blood loss are either preventable or foreseeable and easily controlled? Attend this class with Elizabeth Davis and Penni Harmon to find out how and why. You'll learn what problems may arise in third stage and how to be prepared to attend them. The discussion will include various problems with placenta retention. Part of our conference in Eugene, Oregon, March 2009. LEARN MORE…

Each year, midwives are visiting my place

Dear Jan, Thanks for sharing the information about India on your country page. I am happy to inform you that I have completed my PhD on HRD in Hospitals: A comparative study of nursing staff of public and private hospital in Delhi (India). I received my degree on 2 February 2008. I am working on Skilled Birth Attendant training project of the government of India. I would also like to inform you that each year midwives from countries like US, Australia, Japan, Sweden, etc., are visiting my place by getting information through your Web site. Regards, Dr. Manju Chhugani VIEW COUNTRY PAGE…

Photos of Birth Inspiring

Brought to Earth by Birth is a collection of beautiful black and white photographs by Harriette Hartigan, one of the world's master birth photographers. It makes a wonderful gift for your midwife or doula, for expectant or new moms, for grandmothers and for anyone who loves babies and birth. And remember to order a copy for yourself! Now available in our online store. Get the book! VIEW PRODUCT…

The Homebirth Choice

"This document discusses homebirth as one of many avenues toward a successful birth-one that results in a happy and healthy mom and baby. We offer this in support of education, freedom of choice and empowerment of women and their families. While aimed at parents, those considering the profession of midwifery will also find it a useful overview of what a midwife does." READ MORE…

Humor as Natural Medicine

"I wish I could think of a punch line for this joke: ‘A midwife, a doula and an obstetrician walk into a bar…’ but, I don't really need one since I've gotten plenty of laughs just with that opening. I'm a big fan of using humor. I find laughter useful in my roles as midwife's assistant, midwifery student and doula." READ MORE…

VBAC and Choice: Many Questions and a Few Answers

"When I agreed to have a cesarean, was I really making a choice? First of all, I, the chooser, was not truly informed; second, my doctor lied to me. Third, my insurance company limited my choices in many ways." READ MORE…

The “Rule of 10” Versus Women’s Primal Wisdom

There is a rule of labor that forbids a woman to push with contractions until her cervix is completely dilated to 10 cm. Women are warned that to push before this doorway is completely open and out of the way will result in a swollen and/or torn cervix. READ MORE…

Herbal Applications

"Many midwives work with or have some knowledge of herbal medicine, but still often have questions about different types of applications. Each herbal application is valuable in its own right. Some applications will feel familiar and some will seem to be more work than they’re worth, but I suggest that midwives experiment and have fun. Sometimes one of these experiments will have a real-life application in the home or in midwifery care." READ MORE…

Learn about prenatal massage with this comprehensive book by Elaine Stillerman

Prenatal Massage—A Textbook of Pregnancy, Labor and Postpartum Bodywork contains clear, colorfully illustrated explanations of a wide range of techniques and procedures. Topics covered include Swedish massage, acupuncture points, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, lymphatic drainage, and reflexology. Plus, you can watch demonstrations on the companion DVD. VIEW PRODUCT…

Holiday gift money to spend?

You can still save up to $20 on your Midwifery Today order. Or save $5 on a Midwifery Today subscription. Check out the Online Holiday Coupon Page to find out how, then take advantage of these great savings. LEARN MORE…

Learn about midwifery education!

Are you an aspiring midwife who's looking for the right school? Are you a practicing midwife who would like learn more? Visit our Education Opportunities page to discover ways to start or continue your education. LEARN MORE…

Are you currently a student midwife in the UK?

Win a 5-day conference in Copenhagen, Denmark! Enter our WRITING COMPETITION. (Click on "Midwifery Today" in the upper right of the homepage.) Deadline is 1 Feb 2009. LEARN MORE…

Trick of the Trade

To slow down or halt preterm labor, I use several different methods, depending on the woman. I have had good luck with all of these: Benadryl, cell salt (magnesium phosphate), Rescue Remedy, valerian, vodka, checking for urinary infection (get it treated), and a moist heating pad on mom's lower abdomen, right above her pubic hair. If baby is breech or in another malposition that is stimulating the cervix, I give pulsatilla to get the baby moved. I also use bed rest with baby's head off the cervix. Calcium with magnesium also may work. Humor and prayer can work well too.

— S.H., E-News 1:32

Quotable Quote

We're used to thinking about how home-based and apprenticeship midwives need hospital-based midwives—to accept the transfers, to work with the women who 'risk out' of homebirth, to work with the women who have learned to fear birth. But hospital-based, medically entrenched midwives need the outsiders' view of the other midwives just as much or even more if they are to retain sight of midwifery as a goal.

— Barbara Katz Rothman, PhD, The Daughters of Time on the Paths to Midwifery

FDA Warns about Use of CellCept or Myfortic during Pregnancy

The FDA has reissued a warning that the drugs mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept) and mycophenolic acid (Myfortic) may cause miscarriages and birth defects if used during pregnancy. Both are used to prevent organ rejection in patients with transplants, but also are sometimes used off-label to treat conditions such as systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis. Congenital malformations associated with these drugs include bilateral microtia or anotia (ear deformities, cleft palate and lip and other major structural defects. Go here for the complete warning.