moving!

One of the things about Spring that I love is the energy and propulsion towards making change.


I am moving my blog! I still haven't decided if I'm going to bring all my archived posts over to the new site (I think I will, but only if I manage to get more time online), but I will start writing over at the new site soon.

So, please, update your bookmarks and your blogroll to http://www.PamAMidwife.com

Hathor the Cow Goddess' take on the Trust Birth Conference

Have you seen her latest strip?

Really, Michel Odent. *deep sigh* What he has to say is so vital to our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. We will never see world change without paying sharp attention to what we do prenatally, at birth and immediately postpartum.

oh! oh! OH!

Don't forget to run over to Tina Cassidy's blog and revel in her baby's birth story.

the truth about birth

...is that I'm not the only one that feels this way about it.

Within this truth, the company I keep is remarkable. Astounding. Powerful.

Seeing, meeting and conversing with Michel Odent, Dr John, Sarah Buckley, Gail Hart, Karen Strange, Laura Shanley, Gloria Lemay - these are just a handful of the people that touched my life deeply this past weekend. Met Ricki Lake briefly (my only question was to ask her how she felt about the Hairspray remake!), saw the Business of Being Born (it was really well done!), and interacted with so many women who believe in women and believe in birth - and aren't afraid to speak about it.

I didn't take any pictures (aside from one with Linda, me and Michel Odent) because I was so busy. Sleep was scarce, down time was not possible.

I am moved beyond words. Moved beyond words. I am not alone.


(One client had her baby while I was away...she had her baby boy this morning and I'm looking forward to seeing them tomorrow!)

flying high!

Off to the Trust Birth Conference!

Two of my clients birthed on Tuesday...one a heavy, thirteen minute shoulder dystocia and full CPR to a 12lb 12oz baby girl. Later that evening, a baby boy's arrival that happened so fast I missed it by five minutes.

The big baby is doing well - she responded quickly to resuscitation (a benefit of moms who are unmedicated and delayed cord clamping!) and EMTs were called before she was out. I have had one other shoulder dystocia in my practice but somehow that seemed less daunting than this (maybe it was my memory that has failed? perhaps I have forgotten the flood of emotions during and after?). I cannot imagine how doctors do it with women who are numb from the waist down perched on the edge of narrow, high beds. Certainly the mobility of the mom helped to birth this baby. I've always heard that if your hands don't hurt the next day it wasn't a true shoulder dystocia. I cannot clearly recall my previous experience, but I can say that for the past two days my fingers, my wrists, my arms, even my legs are aching. Baby has bruising and initially we thought I had broken her clavicle, but after the paramedic and I looked at her more closely we determined that there were no broken bones. Other than screaming for three hours, she physically recovered well.

*sigh*

I'm grateful for a fabulous assistant midwife who is quick in emergent situations - and has a strong trust in birth. I am also grateful for the quick arrival of EMS and their willingness to assist us in whatever way we needed during the transition.

I really need this time away...looking forward to updating as the conference moves on - and taking pictures!