midwiferies

As Corbin's due-date approached, I grew a tiny bit nervous about bringing Nettie to the birth. I called a friend who is also studying to be a midwife to check in with her and she exclaimed, without hesitation, "bring her, breast-fed babies have super-powers." Well they do!
I headed to Corbin's house around 5pm January 1st. Nettie hung out on the floor during early labor. As things picked up a bit, around 9pm, I put Nettie on my back. Nettie remained on my back with a few brief exceptions, until 11am the following morning while I provided support. I think she nursed twice, went smoothly off and on during the transport to the birth center and then again transporting to the hospital and hardly noticed when I took her off to snuggle beside me for a couple of twenty minute cat naps. Matt arrived at the hospital (having taken public transportation with Khady and Fenimore, a good hour and a half journey) around 11am and hung out with Nettie for the rest of the day, bringing her back only once to nurse (with no complaint from Nettie). Nettie was briefly and only slightly fussy while we prepared for the hospital transport but I think she was expressing her concern for the baby. The rest of the time she was either asleep or calmly peering over my shoulder observing all from her post on my back.
More about the birth to come.

Midwife Day or in Bulgarian Babin Den, is a purely Bulgarian holiday, celebrated on January 8, and honoring Bulgarian midwifes. Photo by Sofia Photo Agency
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Midwife Day or in Bulgarian Babin Den, is a purely Bulgarian holiday, celebrated on January 8, and honoring Bulgarian midwifes.

The name Babin Den comes from the Bulgarian word "baba", which means old woman or grandmother because in the past old women have been the village midwifes, helping the younger ones to give birth. (Den means day in Bulgarian.)
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The Chinese authorities released on Thursday the results of a 2006 survey that showed most women in China would like to have more than the one child they are currently allowed under the country's strict one child per couple rule.

The Chinese government says the one child per couple rule has slowed down the country's birth rate and helped millions of people to become wealthier. They are not going to change the rule.
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ICM – the International Confederation of Midwives – supports, represents and works to strengthen professional associations of midwives on a global basis. At present ICM has over 90 member associations in more than 70 countries. The ICM works with midwives and midwifery associations globally to secure women’s right and access to midwifery care before, during and after childbirth. We have worked alongside UN agencies and other partners for decades in global initiatives to help reduce the numbers of mothers and babies who die in and around childbirth, and evidence is growing that shows expanding midwifery care is one of the best ways to combat maternal mortality. The drive for safer motherhood continues to gain strength as more women worldwide achieve access to midwifery care. Please use the website to find out more about the ICM and its members; its work and projects; and many publications and documents that you may find helpful.
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A child (plural: children) is a human being between the stages of birth and puberty. The legal definition of "child" generally refers to a minor, otherwise known as a person younger than the age of majority. "Child" may also describe a relationship with a parent or authority figure, or signify group membership in a clan, tribe, or religion; it can also signify being strongly affected by a specific time, place, or circumstance, as in "a child of nature" or "a child of the Sixties."
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Pregnancy is a very exciting time in a woman's life. But it can also be a time filled with questions and concerns. Sometimes pregnancy symptoms can be confusing, making you wonder whether you really are pregnant or not. Only a pregnancy test will be able to help answer that question.

Now that you know that you are pregnant, it's time to see a prenatal health care provider. But which one is right for you? Take a look at Choosing a Prenatal Practitioner to understand how OB/GYNs, family doctors and midwives differ. No matter which of these practitioners you choose, though, all will offer you a multitude of prenatal tests over the course of your pregnancy to help make sure you and your baby are healthy. A cordocentesis may be performed if your baby is in distress; this fetal blood sampling test has also been used to administer in utero treatment to fetuses with heart problems and other dire health conditions.

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In the United States, women's choices once were limited to an obstetrician or a knowledgeable family doctor. But in recent years midwives became another alternative for women with low-risk, uncomplicated pregnancies.

In Europe, midwives assist at more than 70% of normal vaginal births. Though midwives delivered only 7% of American babies in 2003, that percentage has been increasing since 1975. But most Americans aren't sure what midwives do, how they're trained, or if they're even available. Is a midwife a viable option for you?

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