As midwives, we have traditionally put ourselves on the line to protect the holiness of women's bodies, pregnancies and births. I propose we broaden our scope and recognize as our own the fight to protect the holiness of mothering. As midwives, are we ignoring our own needs as mothers and the needs of mothering as a whole? Are we assisting each other in birth, but denying each other as mothers? Are we relying too heavily on cultural epidurals like daycare or TV? How can we create change in this vitally important aspect of our lives? How can we work collectively to promote a child-focused world for families? What group other than midwives is better suited to create working conditions that truly honor mothering and place the well being of our children before anything else? While it is true we may not be able to do it all, we midwives can be exceptional at doing it differently.
-Christine Malcolm, Midwifery Today Issue 47
Reprinted from Midwifery Today E-News (Vol 1 Issue 48, Nov 26, 1999)
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