Photo by Hu Chen
The maternal and neonatal mortality rates in the US are disgraceful. Diana Paul discusses some of the factors that have led to this current situation and how we could learn from the British on improving it.
Tricks of the Trade – Issue 133
Photo by Jadell Films
Wisdom of the Midwives – Conversations from Facebook Issue 132
Paige Driscoll—antacruzbirthphotographer.com
Sometimes it is easier to trust the innate intelligence in natural processes when science discovers or confirms through scientific studies the validity of something that is believed to be true, like upright positioning for birth, or something previously unknown, like the benefits of the human microbiota. Most recent is a growing respect of the microbiota at birth and its effect on long-term health.
A doula shares her frustration with having to navigate natural childbirth in a sea of time limits and interventions.
Emily Robinson—emilyrobinsonphotoblog.com
Midwife MorningStar speak of nature’s right timing. “Preparing a woman or preparing ourselves for right timing begins with not setting time limits. If a woman’s people take longer to grow a baby, she may, too.
“There is more to the transport of a woman with her heart set on a natural out-of-hospital birth experience than communicating facts.” What is the midwife’s role in transport? How can she best support her client and help to facilitate communication with a hospital culture that is not always receptive to her efforts? Find out in this illuminating article from a CNM who has walked both sides.
How can we help ourselves and other midwives not burn out from the time-consuming, all-encompassing work that is midwifery? In this article, author Jodilyn Owen offers some sound advice based on her own past struggles with time management and burnout.
Read more…. The Mindfulness of Midwifery: Creating a Practice with Intent
Photo provided by the author
Alicia Kaye and new baby girl, Delilah Alexandra Pearl Kaye, relax with dad, Benjamin Kaye, and big brother, Calvin LaVere Kaye
After watching her mother grapple through a Pitocin/Cytotec induced birth, the author starts her quest to find a better, more natural, way of birthing.
Midwife and researcher Judy Slome Cohain dissects currently available published research and finds that hospital birth is never safer than a planned, attended homebirth for low-risk women.
Photo provided by Marsden Wagner
An intimate portrait of a legend in the birth field, Dr. Marsden Wagner.
Photo by Caroline E. Brown
Women are being undermined in subtle, yet important ways inside the typical American labor and delivery ward, concludes certified nurse-midwife Sandra Stine Tallbear in this succinct essay about learning to truly listen to a mother’s needs.
