Doula and writer Adela Stockton has produced a small, easy to read book that will be of interest to a wide variety of women, in particular those looking to create the circumstances within themselves to enjoy a gentle birth. Adela’s premise is that the capacity to birth gently is within yourself. A chapter titled ‘Clearing the ...
Author Archives: Marina Colville
Birthright by Betsey Dewey
I give enormous credit to anyone willing to stand up and shout about their positive birth experience and their views promoting natural childbirth and doubly so in America where the maternity care situation is significantly more dire than in the UK. It puts the UK in a good light, which if you think the UK ...
HypnoBirthing Midwives Win National Midwifery Award
Take 2 Scottish Midwives.... In January 2012 midwives Donna Burns and Alison Fyfe won the Royal College of Midwives Award for Promoting Normal Birth by using HypnoBirthing, The Mongan Method to help women achieve a calm, natural birth. Since July 2009 Ayrshire and Arran NHS Trust have audited the referral of women by medical staff to the HypnoBirthing ...
Home Birth is not a crime: Free Agnes Gareb
Hungary has legalised homebirth. Well done Hungary. Hungary has imprisoned doctor / midwife Agnes Gereb for attending a homebirth prior to legalisation and is maintaining a harsh imprisonment and ban on practice. Poor form Hungary. Sign the following petition to increase the international pressure on the Hungarian government to see sense. Helping normal birth deserves rewards, ...
How Mothers Love by Naomi Stadlen
This book is based on the conversations of mothers with psychotherapist Naomi Stadlen in her weekly discussion group run for over 20 years at Janet Balaskas' Active Birth Centre in London. Reading this book as a mother it made me smile and grimmace. The most private truths of joy and sadness, guilt and pleasure are ...
Call The Midwife
Last night was the first in a series dramatising the writings of Jennifer Worth based on her experience of being a midwife in the 1950s and '60s in the East End of London. As green as she was when she first arrived I doubt even a seasoned midwife from any era would have been ...
“Natural Birth: A Holistic Guide to Pregnancy, Childbirth and Breastfeeding” by Kristina Turner
Guest blogger Sarah Buchanan reviews 'Natural Birth' by Kristina Turner. Using her personal knowledge of motherhood and esoteric teachings, Kristina's book effortlessly blends contemporary information about the physical elements of pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding with the importance of the mental attitude of the mother. She explores the harmonious relationships between the physical and mental ...
The Babymoon Experience by Caroline Deacon
The Babymoon Experience feels like a chatty conversation between friends for the purpose of giving an overview of supportive thoughts and advice on pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period. It is easy reading in a clear and informal style, good on positive information and helpful tips. For that reason it is a good introductory ...
The Birthplace cohort study: health outcomes by planned place of birth
What is the Birthplace cohort study? This 2 year English study (April 2008-2010) looked at 64538 low-risk births involving 90% of all midwifery units in England to consider the safety, cost-effectiveness and availability of current maternity services in the 4 available locations: hospital obstetric units (OU), alongside midwifery units (AMU), freestanding midwifery units (FMU) (collectively ...
“Fathers-To-Be Handbook: A Road Map for the Transition to Fatherhood” by Patrick Houser
Guest blogger Sarah Buchanan reviews the Fathers-to-be handbook. Towards the end of this superb book, Patrick, touches upon a thought provoking question. In earlier times the role of the father as protector was to guard the labouring mother. Imagine him standing at the opening of their cave, club in hand on the lookout for ...