A whole college course in a day! This workshop offers an overview of the exciting sub-discipline of the anthropology of reproduction from its early beginnings to its latest findings. We will concentrate on anthropological studies in four major areas: childbirth, midwifery, the new reproductive technologies, and the politics of reproduction. Robbie will describe the works she considers to be key in each area and summarize their findings, and will suggest important directions for future research. Her goal is to provide a stimulating overview of these anthropological sub-disciplines for midwives and others who want to know what the social scientists are up to, and to accompany that overview with an extensive annotated bibliography that will provide a helpful template for further exploration and research.

Our teachers discuss the mechanical and physical causes of shoulder dystocia; the associated risk factors; symptoms and signs to predict it; and tools to remedy it. They will analyze tools and methods used to overcome panic reactions and demonstrate effective treatments. Learn about new methods, new mnemonics, and the latest research!

This is an in-depth look at malpresentations and mal-rotations; their likelihood and causes; palpation methods to identify them; and the techniques for assessing and dealing with them. You will learn many tips for helping these errant babes to move into better position for vaginal birth. Bring your techniques to add to this body of midwifery knowledge!

These classes are designed to improve and enhance your midwifery skills and knowledge. This is a great workshop for both experienced and newer midwives.

Learn to spot a long labor before labor begins and turn it around to a shorter labor. This course goes beyond Optimal Fetal Positioning with the 3 Principles of Spinning Babies: Balance, Gravity and Movement in pregnancy and in labor. Compare anterior and posterior fetal position. Practice labor progress techniques appropriate to the level of descent and tell whether a cesarean is needed or just more time. Fewer cesareans/fewer transports may be possible now. “When I took Gail’s class I knew we had to have this amazing teacher join us in Midwifery Today conferences.”—Jan Tritten.

We will begin this day-long workshop with a discussion of how to detect, prevent and turn breech babies. But what to do when attempts at turning fail, and the mother decides to go forward with a vaginal birth? Or when the midwife is surprised with an unexpected breech? The knowledge of breech birth is an essential midwifery skill. Although intentional breech birth is not for beginners, everyone is welcome in this class because every birth attendant must know how to handle the unexpected breech birth. Various methods and techniques will be discussed and demonstrated including the use of waterbirth for breech birth

All are welcome.

These classes are designed to improve and enhance your midwifery skills and knowledge. This is a great workshop for both experienced and newer midwives.

The observation of cultural traditions and their impact on pregnancy and birth is fascinating. Angelina will discuss positioning, remedies, techniques and customs from Mexico. The origin of these techniques and traditions goes back thousands of years. We will learn how to use a rebozo, a very useful tool in all parts of the childbearing cycle for preventing and dealing with complications. Discover simple techniques that promote healthy pregnancy and birth. This course will add greatly to your knowledge. You will actually practice what you are learning under Angelina’s watchful guidance.

Learn how individual care and good communication can positively affect labor. Our teachers will share the protocols and techniques they use to help the mother move through labor. This evidence-based discussion will include prolonged rupture of membranes, failure to progress, abnormal labor patterns, monitoring methods, non-medical intervention and more. Listen to these experienced midwives discuss constructive and effective ways to handle both normal and complex situations, correct problems, support the woman who has difficulties, and the best methods to assess progress. Bring your questions and experiences in what promises to be an exciting day!

(Event rescheduled; see Cabaret, Saturday evening.)

It is imperative that midwives be well-educated, know physiologic birth and be skilled in dealing with complications. Our hands and heart skills are an essential part of this wisdom, and have been cultivated in local midwifery knowledge around the world. Retaining these skills in balance with new technology and understanding of the diversity of cultures is the essence of being “with woman.” This panel of midwives will share the discoveries of their regions and explore deep issues in the art and science of midwifery.

Much social science and midwifery literature heavily critiques the obstetrical treatment of birth. Taking a more positive and constructive approach, this presentation describes what co-editors Robbie Davis-Floyd of the US, Lesley Barclay of Australia, Betty-Anne Davis of Canada, and Jan Tritten of the US call “birth models that work”—a phrase we used as the title of our 2009 book. In the soon-to-be-published second book we are working on, we intend to include models of both education and practice. This talk first presents the criteria we have developed to identify and characterize “birth models that work” and then presents a number of optimal birth models from countries as diverse as Canada, the US, the UK, the Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Mexico, Brazil, the Philippines, and Samoa. How have these models stood the test of time?

Grab a quick lunch, then come watch the film!

There is an innate intelligence that guides and protects the complex unfolding of Birth. In captivity something of that intelligence is lost. Bring your questions and experience and together we will discover how to realign with the fierce intelligence, beyond the intellect, that seeks to protect the body, mind and soul of motherbaby in any setting, any circumstance or any culture. We plan to rediscover the secrets of nature that bring birth and long-term well-being to motherbaby. Birth is the beginning of everything else.

What can be done at pregnancy visits by midwives and doulas to help women and couples to be proactive in childbirth preparation with fetal positioning? Let Gail Tully, “the Spinning Babies Lady,” introduce you to the First Principle of Spinning Babies: Balance. Try out three techniques that you can then teach pregnant women and couples over three prenatal visits. Please bring massage tables if you have any available.

In this session we will focus on three common birth variations. The physiology and current research relating to each variation will be discussed. Midwifery practice will be explored, including minimizing risks, and identifying and managing complications.

Childbirth does not need to be a painful experience. Much of the pain in childbirth is caused by fear and anxiety. Fear increases tension, which increases pain, which increases fear. Midwives and doulas can use methods to reduce fear and tension in order to reduce pain. Most women can be relatively comfortable throughout labor if they have tools for relaxation, support and confidence.

We will look at birth from broad perspectives, including evolutionary, hormonal and microbiological, with a focus on the benefits of normal, natural, physiologic birth for mothers and babies. Sarah details the hormonal physiology of labor and birth and also the importance of gut flora transfer from mother to baby for lifelong immune and brain function.

Village prenatals have a sole purpose: We gather out of selfless service to support and encourage the instinctual life of pregnant women who are trying to birth in power against a modern current of fear and an environment of perpetual interventions. We are there to shower them with village attention and support and to bathe them in the sense of belonging and being cherished.

What to do when the due date comes and goes? What are the real risks of prolonged pregnancy? How do we assess for signs of postmaturity syndrome? How do we know when it is time to intervene, and how do we intervene when it’s needed? Let’s look at what the evidence says about risks and how to mitigate them, discuss how to monitor the prolonged pregnancy, and learn how to balance protocols with common sense. Also covered will be how to calculate due dates as accurately as possible, and how to determine fetal well-being.

“What’s that you want me to do?” Baby’s head is tipped as if listening for advice. “I’m a bit stuck.” Understand the role of the pelvic floor in asynclitism and learn about a technique to make room for the head to come down. Wear comfortable stretch or yoga pants to try the technique with a friend. Bring a massage table if you are local and have one, please.

The midwives in Mexico have developed their midwifery over the millennia with techniques that work for various birth issues. Angelina gives us an overview of the many interesting and useful ways Mexican midwives have developed to help women in pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period.

This session is based on Rachel’s PhD thesis, “Midwifery Practice during Birth: Rites of Passage and Rites of Protection.” We will explore the concept of the midwife as a ritual companion during the childbirth rite of passage and the implications for midwifery practice. We will discuss practical ways in which midwives can facilitate women’s rite of passage and promote conditions for empowerment.

Sarah will explore the impact of major maternity-care interventions on the hormonal physiology of birth, including epidurals, cesareans and induction. Sarah also reviews the hormonal physiology of labor and birth and its benefits for mother and baby.

Many episodes of excessive blood loss are either preventable or controllable without medication. It is important to understand the full process of third stage and to facilitate the delivery of the placenta correctly. Can active third stage management still be supported as the wider body of evidence accumulates? Let’s look at the evidence and learn about techniques used where routine oxytocics are not accessible and which render the need for pharmaceuticals rare. You will learn about how to assess third stage and deal with complications to reduce the risk of excess blood loss.

Our teachers will explain why massage is essential for pregnant and birthing women and show practical application. They will discuss the importance of healing touch as a preventative tool and safe remedy for the pregnant, laboring and postpartum woman. Come join this class where time for hands-on practice will be provided and guided.

Recognizing the limitations and strengths of the biomedical system and of her own system, the postmodern midwife moves fluidly between the two to serve the women she attends. She is a shape-shifter—she knows how to work to change the medical system while appearing to comply with it. She is a bridge-builder, making alliances with biomedicine where possible and building connections between traditional and professional midwives. When possible she attends conferences and meetings, making connections with other midwives in other parts of the world, increasing her ability to translate between systems, and gaining consciousness of midwifery as a global movement.

Some women, by accident or design, give birth outside the conventions and walls of home and hospital, mostly without dramatic incident. When this happens, it throws into question the endless debates about the safety of certain environments, who is qualified to attend, and how influential or essential the presence of the experts is over the power of birth. How can you prepare or be prepared for such an event? Let’s share our most memorable and outrageous stories of births in Nature.

Brainstorm with us and your peers on how we can effect changes in midwifery and childbirth on the global level. We can make changes for the better with knowledge of global possibilities. We will share techniques, systems and political and educational ideas that will help you further the midwifery model in your sphere of influence. A discussion of the Global Midwifery Council, the Birth Revolution and the International Alliance of Midwives will be included.

It is time for a redefining of terms in regard to midwifery. As present-day “midwifery” is incorporating more and more of an impersonal, medicalized mentality, midwives must rise up and reclaim the organic, life-infused roots of motherbaby care, returning to the old ways without discounting the new, and preserving the distinction between the art of midwifery and the field of medicine.

The cabaret is for everyone to show their many talents whether in song, dance or whatever you do that you would like to share. Join us for an evening of fun and laughter, and see the amazing talents of teachers and fellow registrants! Local dance teacher Maha Al Musa will also lead us in learning the fundamentals of belly dancing and her Bellydancebirth® techniques.

Share the techniques you’ve perfected in your practice or bring your burning questions to this roundtable of pertinent tips on a wide variety of topics. Previous sessions have included facilitating effective contractions, dealing with prolonged labor, preventing perineal tears, helping the slow-to-start baby and holistic first aid. This is always a much-appreciated session, for its sense of sisterhood as well as its information. “Worth at least two weeks of academic training,” said one participant.

Gail will share her brilliant insights and findings on the hormonal states of mother and baby and the interaction that occurs. She will cover how we can facilitate the process without disturbing motherbaby. Gail’s teaching on this subject makes it a fascinating class. Her insights can help you improve your practice.

Learn about how to be prepared for “anything and everything”! Birth stories will be used to illustrate assessment techniques, problem solving and ways in which practitioners can build their self-confidence in dealing with various emergency and unusual situations. You will learn about how to be more prepared for uncommon complications that you may encounter: unusual bleeding, thrombocytopenia, meconium, neonatal jaundice, hematoma formation, signs of embolism and more. Learn about how to manage these while keeping the family and yourself calm. Bring questions and cases to study.

This is often the neglected talk in prenatal care. Learn to help your clients by straightforward discussions. Also learn how undisturbed birth is inherently sexual in nature and how even our well-intended assistance can interfere. Share sexy birth stories and come away with new ideas of how to promote transformation in a couple’s sexuality and pleasure in birth.

“Why is this procedure necessary?” The two most dangerous answers are, “That’s the way I was taught,” and “That’s the way I’ve always done it.” Come learn to look at your midwifery practice with an open mind, learning from the women. It’s time to rewrite the textbooks.

How do we get a long labor to progress? Long labors may be associated with complications ranging from social or emotional issues to physical problems. We will learn different reasons for prolonged labor, as well as methods for helping women move along in labor. Learn about methods to help detect the pathological labor from the simple prolonged labor. Analysis of myth and reality will also be discussed.

Carol will explore the many benefits and ways of using water in birth and will discuss its unique properties—psychological as well as physical. Waterbirth is not only an option for a woman to give birth undisturbed and in dignity, but it has medical advantages for mother and child. Breech births, OP births and twin births benefit from waterbirth. Breech waterbirth needs no hands, no extra warming for the newborn’s body or other interventions. The ease of attending births in water is a joy.

This session will focus on bringing our traditions into the modern world. Our teachers draw upon a rich tapestry of birth in traditional cultures, blending it with what has been learned from midwives. The panel strives to come up with the best possible blend, always considering each woman unique. Their great love of that process is sure to kindle our passion for birth.

Gail will explain and discuss the physiological causes of shoulder dystocia. She will describe symptoms and signs of five types of dystocia in three levels of the pelvis. The FlipFLOP memory tool is introduced to reduce panic reactions. See how recent research supports physiological resolution of shoulder dystocia with rotation and bringing out the posterior arm. Come practice this important skill.

Even as more evidence mounts showing the harm caused by unnecessary obstetrical interventions, such interventions continue to increase and cesarean rates around the world continue to soar, causing trauma to mothers and babies. How can midwives, doulas and mothers help bring needed change to others? Learn what you can do in your community to promote positive birth change. We are all needed—let’s hone our skills at creating optimal birth models for the women of the world!