Theme: Doulas
The use of birth doulas is becoming more prevalent in the US and other parts of the world. This issue covers the role of doulas and their contribution to better births and showcases the work of a variety of different doulas and the populations they serve. The magazine also has a great section on breech birth in “Wisdom of the Midwives,” and several clinical articles, as well as birth stories and opinion pieces.
Learn what a Midwifery Today Online Membership can do for you. = Membership Article.
This physician and doula describe birth patterns in Turkey and the success of their “Birth with no Regret” team in improving the standard of care.
Column: Tricks of the Trade
Shalon Irving died on January 28, 2017, from complications of high blood pressure and heart problems. She left behind a four-week-old baby girl. Shalon, 36 years old, was an epidemiologist and commissioned officer in the US Public Health Service (USPHS) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Doula Penny Simkin discusses the positive impact that doulas have on birth outcomes. They provide a unique form of labor support that is different from that of other caregivers involved in the birth process–but complements the roles of others. Simkins describes why this is so. Read more…. What Do Doulas Really Do?
Agnes is a Hungarian doctor and midwife who faces prison as a punishment for attending homebirths. Slome Cohain argues that midwives need to document the homebirths they provide, to show that they are safe.
In order to feel protected during this time of neocortical inhibition, some modern women naturally prefer to rely on a doula. Read more…. Doulas: A Global Phenomenon
Monet Moutrie—monetnicole.com
The author discusses how the doula can help families bring more love and pleasure to childbirth.
Continuity of care, with the same care provider, can dramatically improve a woman’s pregnancy and birth experience, her recovery, and her ability to successfully process her birth journey. Deep bonds of empathy, mutual respect, and emotional safety can develop between the birthing woman and her birth attendant. Read more…. Learning to Trust Birth through Continuity of Care
Twenty-two papers published in medical journals reached a conclusion that Asian women have shorter perineums, despite the fact that this is not so in Asia. She concludes that the problem is impatience and interference by doctors.
Read more…. Research on Perineal Outcomes of Asians Not Living in Asia Leads to Faulty Conclusion
This article describes painted, wooden birth trays of Renaissance Italy and how the tradition strengthened social bonds.
Read more…. “Desco da parto” The Birth Tray and Its Cultural Significance in Renaissance Italy
An interview with a unique birth doula—a blind man who came to the work from massage therapy. Read more…. An Interview with Ray McAllister: A Blind Doula
Jennifer Mason—jennifermasonphotography.com
In this issue of Midwifery Today we celebrate the role of the doula. The articles in these pages feature doulas across the planet making a difference: from doulas who serve refugees in Austria to doulas incorporated into multi-disciplinary practices in Turkey to indigenous doulas here in US helping maintain their cultural practices around childbirth.
