Issue 130
Summer 2019
Theme: Trauma and Healing
Whether the trauma occurs in childhood, during pregnancy, or during birth, it can affect a woman during her childbearing year—and can affect partners, as well. This issue is full of articles that deal with preventing or healing trauma. Beth Barbeau shares a variety of tools, including naturopathic remedies, emotional and energetic support and herbal support among them. Gomer Ben Moshe tells of how a trauma survivor is supported in a c-section and Lori Barklage tells us how to recognize and heal trauma based on her RISE Up program, among others. We also include thought-provoking articles on “Revitalizing Midwifery” by Jasmine Krapf and “Birth Behind Bars” by Mary Ann Lieser, and much more!
Cover photo by Jennifer Mason (jennifermasonphotography.com). Jennifer is a professional birth photographer and doula in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She excels at documenting and supporting families from pregnancy through birth and into the postpartum period. These extended relationships allow her and the families to forge a deep and meaningful relationship, using visual artistry and knowledge of the birthing process to aid in healing and positive support during this transformative time. As a VBAC mother of two girls, Jennifer has a unique ability to understand women and families traveling a similar journey. In addition to her business, Jennifer is co-founder of Birth Becomes Her, an internationally recognized resource available to support birth photographers as they create and sustain their own careers.
Pictured: Ivonne’s first birth was a failed induction that led to a cesarean. With her second birth, she chose a supportive team of midwives who did everything they could to help her have a VBAC. She was able to cry with them about her experience and, despite a second cesarean, she found healing because of their loving support.
Columns
- Poetry
- From the Editor
Editor Jan Tritten shares her story of birth trauma and using it to keep her passion alive. - Tricks of the Trade
- Quote of the Quarter
- Marion’s Message
Read about the essentials of safe motherhood and how they will be the basis for a program in Uganda. - The Doula Corner
- Media Reviews
- Wisdom of the Midwives
- Midwifery & Childbirth News
- Photo Album
Features
- Dreams, Demons, and Desires: The Work of the Subconscious Mind and the Power of Inner Awareness—Sister MorningStar
Subtitled “The work of the subconscious mind and the power of inner awareness,” this article addresses communication with pregnant women to assess dreams, fears (demons), and wishes for the future (desires). Birthkeepers can use this information to better understand the woman, help her work with these issues, and, ultimately, help her birth her power. - Supporting a Sexual Violence Survivor’s Journey to Motherhood: Caesarean and the Early Post-operation Stage—Gomer Ben Moshe
Some women may have deep trauma that requires accommodations within the hospital system to ensure that her care does not trigger the prior trauma. This article discusses how a hospital in Israel handled such a situation for a cesarean and provides a template for doing so. - Healing from a Homebirth Turned Cesarean—Samantha Whiteaker
A mother tells about a homebirth that did not go as planned and how she recovered. - How Recognizing and Healing Trauma Helps Clients—Lori Barklage
Working with trauma is not easy. The author discusses how to identify trauma in clients and to work with them to heal their trauma and ours. - Breaking the Silence—Joanna Wilder
Midwives can not only help to prevent birth trauma, but can provide therapeutic healing. Learn about how you can be a valuable support person. - There You See It, There You Don’t? Postpartum Depression—Nancy Wainer
Women can suffer from postpartum depression for a variety of reasons. Using real stories and common sense, Wainer helps us get to the root of some of the causes and how birthworkers can help them. - Fatherhood Following the Experience of Child Sexual Abuse—Charlotte C. Petersson
With parenting in Sweden being more inclusive of fathers, this timely piece reports on a study of characteristics of fathers who had previously been sexually abused. - A Day in the Life—Sarah Seymour
Reflections of a day in the life of a midwife in Jerusalem. - Birth Behind Bars: The Difference Trauma-informed Doula Care Can Make—Mary Ann Lieser
With mass incarceration in the US, we now have more women of childbearing age in prison than ever before. Lieser discusses the shortcomings of giving birth behind bars, and how doulas can help support these women to have a better birth. - Tools for Easing Grief and Birth Trauma—Beth Barbeau
Whether naturopathy, herbalism, homeopathy, counseling, or energy work—all are tools for to help birthworkers ease grief and birth trauma in their clients. - Holding Space for Birthworkers—Emily Render-Graham
Midwives, as well as their clients, become traumatized and need compassionate care. This article encourages us to take care of ourselves too. - Life of a New Midwife: The Heart of Healing—Nubia Earth Martin
A new midwife of color tells about some challenges she faced in her journal through midwifery school and how her first year as a midwife is now bearing fruit. - Prenatal Ultrasound and Gastroschisis—Judy Slome Cohain
This article addresses the 20-week ultrasound that is now standard for some pregnant women and a case in which not having one done saved the mother from a cesarean. - International Association of Professional Birth Photographers 2019 Competition Winners
- Revitalizing Midwifery: Reimagining the Doula’s Role—Jasmine Krapf
A doula delves deep into the role of the doula—what it is, what is could be, what it should be, and why we need to seriously consider it.
= Membership Article.
