You might be interested in an interview I participated in with my wife Nicole Warren on WBEZ’s (PBS) Worldview program regarding a project that we have launched called Mali Midwives, which some of you already know about. The purpose of the project is to facilitate continuing education for rural auxiliary midwives in Mali, where we both conduct research. The ultimate goal is to help strengthen health care delivery to rural areas of Mali and, in particular, to help reduce maternal mortality which kills about 1 in 15 Malian women.

The interview was this morning and it first aired at noon today (2/26/09). It will rebroadcast tonight at 9 pm on 91.5 FM and it can be found streaming on the web at http://www.wbez.org/content.aspx?audioID=32386. Our marketing at this point consists of a page on Facebook, a video slideshow on YouTube, and a fundraising page on ChipIn. I can provide more info if you’re interested.

http://travelerswife.blogspot.com/2009/03/mali-midwives.html

A short film by five midwives and a doctor in Tanzania documenting the dire conditions of maternal health care in the country has inspired the Tanzanian government to double the number of midwives trained each year.

The 10-minute film, made by midwives trained in participatory film-making, looks at “the appalling conditions in which women have to give birth” in Tanzania and incited government action on maternal health care after it was screened before the Minister of Health (see the full story below). Click here to watch the video.

One of the goals for Project HOPE’s mission in Ghana was to conduct a training for midwives that was held at Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital in conjunction with the Nursing Midwifery Training College. The Regional Health director selected specific hospitals/health centers in the region to send a couple of their midwives to the training. They were sent letters of invitation and we had 16 participants the first day.

http://projecthopeinthefield.blogspot.com/2009/03/midwives-saving-lives-skills-training.html

This central Florida office feels more like a home than a maternity ward, with portraits of glowing mothers-to-be proudly displayed on the walls leading to the “suites.” The Van Gogh room has a nighttime feel, with a dark blue couch near a star-designed quilted bed and the Starry Night painting hanging above.

And then there is the birthing stool oddly found in the mix, looking more like a misplaced item in a bedroom.

It is the vision of Jennie Joseph, an energetic midwife originally from England who has run this birthing center since 1994.

http://www.bradenton.com/331/story/1243582.html

Midwives in New Zealand are either employed or Self employed. We work shifts through our hospitals or provide continuity of care as a LMC (Lead Maternity Carer), either as an employee or as a self employed Midwife. Midwives are paid by claiming to the government under section 88 or are paid by their employer. All Midwives have indemnity insurance and are members of their professional body - the New Zealand College of Midwives.

The Midwifery Council of New Zealand is responsible for the protection of the health and safety of women and babies during the childbirth process by providing mechanisms to ensure that midwives are competent and fit to practice midwifery

http://tania-e-portfolio.blogspot.com/2009/01/midwifery-in-new-zealand.html

Health messages may have the highest impact if they are given early in life. Therefore, the Dutch Ministry of Health identified pregnant women as a target population and initiated an innovative eHealth program to serve as a communication channel of health messages to pregnant women.

http://www.jmir.org/2009/1/e7

More women are opting for a mother-centred style of care than the consultant-led model, which is why the community midwifery scheme at the National Maternity Hospital, Holles St, cared for more than 1,100 women last year

COMMUNITY MIDWIFERY is no longer marginalised within the maternity hospitals in which it operates in Ireland, says Margaret Hanahoe, who heads a team of eight community midwives in the National Maternity Hospital (NMH), Holles Street, Dublin.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/health/2009/0224/1224241701376.html

Mr. Jude Edochie, UNFPA Deputy Representative on Tuesday called on countries with high maternal mortality rate to enact relevant regulations to create the enabling environment for the practice of midwifery.

“The world needs midwives now more than ever to save the lives of mothers and babies”, he said at the opening of a two-week conference organised by the UNFPA and the International Confederation of Midwives.

The theme: “Investing in Midwives” was chosen to educate government of member nations on the need to develop that sector of the public health system as a way of promoting reproductive health.

http://www.modernghana.com/news/204688/1/create-enabling-environment-for-midwifery-practice.html

I am really getting excited about our conference coming up in Eugene. These conferences are a time to renew old friendships and make new friends, in addition to learning new ideas and techniques.

We have whole day of educational sessions on a variety of topics, including Massage, Abuse and Trauma, Beginning Midwifery and Developing Midwifery and Doula Skills. There are classes on body work for the pelvis, birth around the world, hemorrhage, aromatherapy and so many technical and artistic subjects. The conference has a lot of great teachers, including Ina May Gaskin, Michel Odent, Gloria Lemay, and almost 25 others. There is so much new information that I’m not sure which classes to go to, despite having attended over 50 of our conferences! I am finding so much new information that I want to share through conferences.

http://community.midwiferytoday.com/blogs/jan/archive/2009/02/26/midwifery-today-eugene-conference.aspx

The government’s voluntary bonding scheme to encourage young doctors, nurses and midwives to stay in the country was launched today.

New Zealand is desperately short of doctors, nurses and midwives. This fresh approach will offer student loan debt write offs and cash incentives to graduate doctors, nurses and midwives to work in hard to staff communities or specialties for three to five years.

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0902/S00334.htm

Let’s face it: the economy sucks right now. We haven’t yet hit rock bottom, and it’s going to be awhile (probably a long while) before things begin to recover. In the midst of this harsh financial reality, companies and industries are scrambling to find ways to save money. Birth activists have been trying for decades to convince this country of the benefits of midwifery based on its safety and track record of better outcomes, not to mention improved client satisfaction, but hey, this is America—the only thing people really pay attention to in this country is the bottom line. So maybe midwifery has finally found the argument it needs to affect actual change. In the midst of one of the worst recessions since the Great Depression, NOW is the time to increase access to midwifery care because it’s excellent care for a heck of a lot less than what we’re currently spending on maternity care.

http://www.bellytales.com/2008/12/30/recession-relief-midwifery-saves-money/

Lt. Col. Brenda Houston hasn’t moved into a house in Vicenza yet, but she’s already delivered three babies at Caserme Ederle.

Houston, is the first certified midwife to join the staff at the base’s birthing center.

“It’s been wonderful,” said Lt. Col. Shelley Rice, deputy commander for nursing. “It’s a nice blend. It makes the team more diverse, more versatile.”

Houston has served in the Army’s nursing corps for 21 years — the last 13 as a certified midwife. She joins two obstetricians — one civilian and one military — on the staff.

http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=60713

From the time I was a teenager, I have wanted to be a midwife. The idea of catching babies has always been fascinating to me. I find pregnancy and birth to be an amazing process. Having my own children, participating in births, catching several precipitous births as a nurse, and working with several wonderful nurse-midwives have helped me realize that becoming a nurse-midwife is my destiny. I am an adrenalin junkie, and birth is the ultimate rush. Becoming a nurse-midwife has been my dream and ultimate goal driving me in both my life and the development of my nursing career. Attending graduate school at this time in my life is a culmination of my long-term desire to become a nurse-midwife.

http://atyourcervix.blogspot.com/2009/02/why-i-want-to-be-midwife-paper.html

Midwifery models of care are about women being cared for by a health professional they get to know and trust.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recognises midwives as the most appropriate and cost effective health care professionals to manage a normal pregnancy and birth. Australia continues to ignore recommendations of the WHO and doesn’t fully recognise the extensive professional skills and education of midwives; skills that allow hospitals and birth centres to leave the birthing of most of the nation’s babies in their capable hands.

http://www.homebirth.net.au/2009/02/continuity-of-care-undervalued.html

I hate the border crossing from Rwanda into Goma at Gisenyi. It frays nerves and sullies sunny dispositions in a heartbeat. Male street thugs prowl past luggage, waiting for that instant of inattention. Professional beggars steal into your personal space while the truly hungry are too afraid to ask for a franc or two, and the secret police pour over passports and personal possessions with imperious disregard for common courtesy.

Journalist Helen Thomas and a medical doctor from the States were joining me for a meeting with a midwife group from Goma, and we were waiting for my Congolese friend Omer to meet us with the required invitation from APROSAF (Action Pour la PROmotion de la Sage – Femme).

http://mosquito-blog.blogspot.com/2009/02/congolese-midwives-struggle-to-help.html

Midwives don’t want anything more from the Legislature. They just want to be left alone.

Today midwives from around the state showed up to the state capital to thank legislators with homemade cookies for the recent change in law that legalizes midwifery.

“We’re not asking for more,” Missouri Midwives Association former president Debbie Smithey said.

She said the next step for them is to “see what it’s like to practice legally.”

http://www.stltoday.com/blogzone/political-fix/political-fix/2009/02/midwives-babies-hit-missouri-capitol/

The military has more than 70 midwives, according to military health officials. These registered nurses do much of the same work as gynecologists and obstetricians — providing prenatal care, performing women’s wellness exams, administering birth control and delivering some of the thousands of babies born in military facilities each year.

More than 23,000 babies are born annually in Army facilities, spokeswoman Margaret Tippy said. The Air Force handles 8,000 births each year, according to one official.

http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=60225

We are proud to announce that Alison Haasch, owner of NaturalChildbirth.org, is now a licensed midwife in the state of Arizona. Alison has been training and working with midwives Pamela Qualls and Sue DiSilvestro for the past several years.

Alison has started her new midwifery business under the name of LifeSpring Midwifery, LLC. She will be offering comprehensive midwifery care specializing in natural home birth, childbirth education, breastfeeding, and well woman care in the Phoenix, Arizona area.

Alison Haasch is currently taking Arizona midwifery clients in Phoenix, Tempe, Scottsdale, Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Fountain Hills, Maricopa, Casa Grande, San Tan Valley, Queen Creek, and Florence.

LifeSpring Midwifery, LLC

Alison Haasch, Licensed Midwife - Phoenix, Arizona

A bill that would create a state board of midwifery and provide more options for women who wish to give birth at home has cleared the Wyoming Senate.

The bill heads to the House after passing the Senate 28-2 on Thursday.

Currently state law permits only certified nurse midwives. A certified nurse midwife is a nurse with a master’s degree who is licensed by the state Board of Nursing to deliver infants at homes.

http://montanac.com/news/bill-would-create-wyoming-board-of-midwifery/