Issue 97
Spring 2011
Cultural Aspects of Birth
There is no escaping it: Culture plays an important role in shaping birth practices and influences—sometimes dictates—the choices available to birthing women. From the pressures of time in modern Western societies, to the application of cord-burning techniques in developing nations, to the diverse frameworks for understanding postnatal blood, this issue considers various cultural aspects of birth and birth practices worldwide.
(Clockwise from upper left)
Photo 1—Natasha Hance is a mother of five who has a deep passion for birth photography. She photographs births in the Dallas/Fort Worth area of Texas.
Photos 2 and 4—Lora Denton is a stay at home mom of two young children, with a passion for photography and birth. She is grateful to each family who has allowed her to attend their birth and aspires to capture emotion in each picture she takes. See more of Lora’s work at www.loradentonphotography.com
Photo 3—Elizabeth Boyce specializes in unique maternity, birth and newborn portraiture in Dallas, Texas. She also offers birth photography workshops for semi-pro and professional photographers.Please visit www.earthmamaphotography.com or www.earthyworkshops.com for more information.
Contents
- Poetry
- From the Editor
- Networking
- Tricks of the Trade
- Marion’s Message
- Media Reviews
- News
- Classified Advertising
- Calendar
- Photo Album
Departments
- Culture within Culture—Sister MorningStar
- Cord Burning—Kelly Dunn
- Breastfeeding in Public—Megan Myers
- The Cultural Aspect of Birth: My Midwest Experience—Diana Barnes
- Hey, Miz Pinkie—Diana Janopaul
- Opening the Pelvic Brim with Walcher’s Position—Gail Tully
- Ethics and Lessons Learned in Transport—Sandra Tallbear
- Treating Infertility: Differences between Western Reproductive Medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine—Mike Berkley
- Lavender and Letting Go: A Miscarriage-birth Story—Molly Remer
- Release, Rejuvenation and Rejoicing: The Blossoming of a Woman—Elise Brion
- Friedman’s Curve vs. the Pure Heart Approach to Labor—Sandra Tallbear
- Birth Stories from a Mountain Midwife—Candace Palmo
- Birthing with Orthodox Jewish Women—Linda McHale
- The Soul’s Knowing: Connecting with Our Babies in the Womb—Robyn Sheldon
- Cultural Diversity in Childbirth Education—Amy V. Haas
- An Open Letter—Suzanne Arms
- Time in a Bottle—Beth Bailey Barbeau
- Celebrity Births: The Good, the Bad, the Influence—Debra Flashenberg
- Birth with the Amish: A Unique Experience—Irena Keeslar
International Midwife
- Cards & Letters
- Homebirth in Peru’s Sacred Valley—Adrienne Leeds
- Midwifery and Women’s Health in Peru: Visions and Dreams—Cynthia Ingar
- Blood: A Private Issue?—Michele Klein
- Birth the Filipino Way—Denie Heppner
- Cross-cultural Birth: It’s a Human Rights Issue—Jenna Humphreys
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