Interventions and Mortality
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.
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.
We have a problem! Labor induction in the United States has more than tripled since 1990.
A first-time mom told me on social media, “It wasn’t even a discussion, it was: ‘this is what’s happening.’ It’s really hard to disagree with doctors or people in positions of authority—in particular when you’re in such a vulnerable position.” Read more…. Calling All Midwives….
If all midwives and birth attendants had known about using the placenta, membrane, or cord for hemorrhage control, many lives could have been saved. If all midwives learned about this and were willing to use it, so many more would be saved. Hemorrhage is the leading cause of maternal death globally. Think of all the maternal deaths that could be and could have been avoided. These resources are always present at a birth. Membranes and cord can be used if the placenta is not born yet. Gail Hart taught me that. She said that the membranes and cord have even more oxytocin and other useful hormones than even the placenta. Read more…. Placenta, Membranes, and Cord to Stop Bleeding
Wisdom of the Midwives – Conversations from Facebook Issue 132
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
A practical article on the basics for a homebirth midwife’s birth bag.
Read more…. The Portable Office: A Peek into a Midwife’s Homebirth Bag
Theme: Fear in Midwifery and Birth
Articles in this issue of Midwifery Today include:
Theme: Bridging the Gap
Get in on the discussion about midwifery in the United States. Where is it going? Is everyone in this together or are different kinds of midwives becoming alienated from one another? How do we achieve balance so more women who might choose midwife-attended birth are better served? Issue 49 addresses numerous concerns from all corners of midwifery and offers some viable suggestions for bringing everyone together in the center. As well, a thorough look at the use of misoprostol (Cytotec) gives readers some very compelling things to think about.
Theme: Induction
With the ever-increasing rates of interventions and managed birth, Midwifery Today’s issue on Induction is an important one. As always, the issue features articles from the brightest minds in the natural childbirth world, as well as passionate mothers, midwifery students and doulas trying to make the world a safer place for birth. Ina May Gaskin has written a powerful and emotional article on Cytotec (misoprostol), detailing the dangers and the problems with the use of this drug around the time of birth. Michel Odent includes his thoughts about the huge ramifications induction puts on the future of our species. You will also delight to read the success story of a mother who gave birth at home after not just one, but five cesareans. Enjoy!
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.
It’s always important to be reminded of the basics, such as using the placenta to stop a hemorrhage. Hollie S. Moyer does a fine job of doing just that in this article. Read more…. The Power of Placenta for Hemorrhage Control