Illustration by Gerd Altmann
For the One, For the Many
Editor Jan Tritten shares thoughts about the uphill battle to respect birth, women, and babies and what keeps her moving forward in this quest. Read more…. For the One, For the Many
Jan Tritten
Jan Tritten is the founder, editor, and mother of Midwifery Today magazine and conferences. Her love for and study of midwifery sprang from the beautiful homebirth of her second daughter—after a disappointing, medicalized first birth in the hospital. After giving birth at home, she kept studying birth books because, “she thought there was something more here.” She became a homebirth midwife in 1977 and continued helping moms who wanted a better birth experience. Jan started Midwifery Today in 1986 to spread the good word about midwifery care, using her experience to guide editorial and conferences. Her mission is to make loving midwifery care the norm for birthing women and their babies in the United States and around the world. Meet Jan at our conferences around the world!
Photo by Jernej Graj
Trauma in Birth
Editor Jan Tritten shares her story of birth trauma and using it to keep her passion alive. Read more…. Trauma in Birth
Call the Midwife
Most of you probably read the trilogy Call the Midwife years ago. I am a little late, but I just finished all three books. The stories of people, mostly from the East End of London, seem more unreal than fiction, yet they are all true, according to the author, Jennifer Worth. She writes about the midwifery services, mostly homebirths, provided by the nuns at Nonnatus House for 99 years—from the 19th and through most of the 20th century. Read more…. Call the Midwife
Photo by Javier Allegue Barros
Let’s Move Birth in the Right Direction
Complications are why we need midwives. If birth were completely normal all the time we midwives would not be needed—but, indeed, we are needed. It is so important that we all learn and gather the necessary skills and didactic and emotional knowledge we can before we take responsibility for a mother and baby. One of the great keys to a good birth outcome is knowing when and how to act and to do so quickly. Otherwise, we can keep hands off and be the quiet midwife in the corner—unobtrusive and loving. We need to be careful not to disturb the process. Read more…. Let’s Move Birth in the Right Direction
Advocating for Birth Change
The most important event in many women’s lives is giving birth. It is so pivotal that most moms can remember it in great detail their entire life. I met a woman in Japan who was in her 80s and could recount every detail of her birth. Her father-in-law had been her support person. Read more…. Advocating for Birth Change
Lovely Labor
Every woman is different and every labor is different. In this editorial, Jan shares some of the ways labor can be experienced by different women. Read more…. Lovely Labor
The Doula’s Role
I believe that doulas need to have some preparation for handling emergency clinical situations: not to take them on, but to be ready in case of an emergency. This is a somewhat unpopular view. However, doulas can never know what kind of situation they may find themselves in. For example, you may be the first to arrive at a homebirth, when the midwife gets a flat tire or, for some other reason, does not arrive in time for the birth. Read more…. The Doula’s Role
Prenatal Care
Continuity of carer is key to a normal, physiological, and empowered birth. Midwifery is about relationship which develops in the course of prenatal care. Read more…. Prenatal Care
Photo by istockphoto.com/portfolio/RomoloTavani
There’s No Place like Home
Our developing insights into the microbiome have the potential to change everything regarding homebirth for moms—if we can get the word out about its importance to a healthy life. We will need to work on this from all spheres of influence. Read more…. There’s No Place like Home
Midwifery Is Standing on Holy Ground
When we help a mother bring forth her baby onto this earth it will resound in the world forever. Read more…. Midwifery Is Standing on Holy Ground
Albert McLaren, Midwife
We have lost an amazing Fijian midwife and nurse, Albert Edward McLaren. We would not have been able to do the Fiji conference without this maverick of a midwife. He passed away on September 26, 2016, of complications from diabetes. Read more…. Albert McLaren, Midwife
Fijian co-organizers Chandra Dayal, Filomeno Dokoni, Ratu Luke, Albert Mclaren and Sala Matiavi
Reflecting on Fiji
Reflecting on Fiji: Highlights from the Midwifery Today Conference by Jan Tritten. Complete with the prime minister of Fiji’s opening speech, Jan shares some of the highlights from a truly inspiring conference in the South Seas. Read more…. Reflecting on Fiji
