Film Review: Birth Story: Ina May Gaskin & the Farm Midwives

A couple weeks ago there was a disturbance in the force.  It seems that all births in central Ohio stopped to allow a congregation of midwives, student midwives, and doulas.  They packed the Studio 35 theater on Indianola Ave to the gills from what I am told.  If I can convince my wife, there may be a personal review forthcoming.  But for now she said it was a great film and you will have to satisfy your curiosity with this report from http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/birth-story-ina-may-gaskin-412793

Telling the commune’s story alongside that of this midwife practice, Lamm and Wigmore find satisfied customers both young and old; frequently, interviews are intercut with decades-old video footage of the subject in the middle of labor. We watch breach deliveries and other challenging cases, and see various ways — like having young children present — in which the group has tried to change perceptions of childbirth as something to be dreaded.

Trailer:

This is a short snipit to wet your appetite.  You can read more about it at the link.  And you can also get a hold of the documentary here:

http://birthstorymovie.com/

Home Birth Summit: What were the Outcomes?

http://www.homebirthsummit.org/summit-outcomes.html

What Were the Outcomes of the Home Birth Summit? The following statements reflect the areas of consensus that were achieved by the individuals who participated in the Home Birth Consensus Summit at Airlie Center in Warrenton, Virginia from October 20-22, 2011. These statements do not represent the position of any organization or institution affiliated with those individuals. In creating these statements relating to maternity care and birth place in the United States, we acknowledge the complexity inherent in each topic of concern, as well as some disagreement about how to best achieve or demonstrate these principles. While all agreed that there is great value and need for further work in these areas, action plans that flow from these principles may be carried out by individuals or in newly formed, multi-stakeholder work groups according to their own, or shared, values and priorities. Summary statements such as these can be interpreted differently by different readers. Therefore, although there was both unanimity and consensus about the topics addressed, there was not necessarily unanimity as to all of the specific words chosen to create the statements. For example, words such as “autonomy”, “independence”, and “collaboration” may have different implications for practitioners, policy makers, and consumers. These common ground principles are intended to provide a foundation for continued dialogue and collaboration across sectors, as we work together towards a common goal of improving maternal and newborn care for families choosing home birth. (9 statements continued at link)

More women consume placenta to fight postpartum depression

There is a great local news video interviewing the encapsulation specialist.  There is lots of great info discussed.  They even show  a good portion of the steps involved in the processing. Enjoy…. 

More women consume placenta to fight postpartum depression

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) – More women are fighting postpartum depression by ingesting their placenta.

Some women say the placenta is a life-saving organ that is being treated as medical waste.  In a time when doctors are better at treating postpartum depression, women seem to be more open about taking their health into their own hands.

It may sound odd, but some women swear consuming their placenta kept them healthy and gave them tons of energy.  They even claim it helped with lactation.

(continued at link…)

Facebook Group: Support Licensure of Certified Professional Midwives in Ohio!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/324339786676/

For any families interested in an Out – of – Hospital birth in Ohio, this is the Facebook Group to join.  There’s over 1,100 members already.  Every May we meet at the Statehouse in Columbus for a Rally and to lobby our local Representatives.  There’s excellent information posted from local mothers testimonials to Key Points for Legislators.

Currently only 21 states license midwives in some form.  Ohio is not one of them.  Therefore there is no legal recognition of midwives.  They have no legal protection here for what they do. They have found it necessary to Self Regulate as an industry of professionals.  There is MEAC, Midwifery Education Accreditation Council, and NARM, North American Registry of Midwives.  This is how midwives become CPM’s.

Join the group.  Educate yourself on the issues.  This is the number one risk to midwives in Ohio.  Help protect these vital members of our community and the more than 1,000 new lives they bring into our lives every year!

It’s National Midwife Week!

http://www.midwife.org/National-Midwifery-Week

Every year, more than 300,000 US women partner with midwives to navigate birth, puberty, menopause, and other normal life stages. But millions more don’t have midwives in their area or are simply unaware that midwives are available. During National Midwifery Week 2011, we’re asking women to join Team Midwife—a social media-driven campaign that gives midwifery clients a way to support their midwives and raise awareness of the profession in their community.

We have an ambitious vision that by 2020, 20% of births in the United States will be attended by midwives. Every day, ACNM staff, volunteer leaders, and members are working to bring this vision to life. But we can’t do it without your help. Will you spread the word about Team Midwife to help us bring midwifery to millions of women?

Resources for Midwives  (continued at link…)