The Farm: Midwifery seminars

MS Kathy · May 22, 2005

But my Midwife with my last child goes every now and then I think.

I can tell you my own impressions of Ina May Gaskin though :-)

I think her book "Spiritual Midwifery" sets many women toward the path of a less medicalized birth. But the thing is- once I got there, I felt like she was highly medicalized- just out of the hospital.. I haven't read her newer book. I think if you were intersted in venturing down this path, it would be intersting.

For a completely different take- I just saw Birthing From Within ???? It has the Russian Water Births on it.

I don't know if I'd ever be able to work L/D or if I could only work it and hope to change it from within LOL.

Kathy

Has anyone on the board been to the midwifery seminars at The Farm? I was wondering if the info was worth the classes. I've been an L&D nurse for 9 years now, and am disenchanted with the medical birthing process that our facility forces/fosters. Either I have to get out or refresh my outlook.

RNKitty · May 22, 2005

I did have a pt who was having her 13th child this year. They were from a very religious group that usually delivers at home but she came to the hospital due to complications. Her daughter had done two water births and my pt said that on her next child :) she was going to try a water birth. It does sound more relaxing. However, I did speak with a neonatologist once who asked me "How many cases of tap-water pneumonia do you have to get before you decide it is a bad idea?"

At this point, I can't change the facility. I can't change to a different facility without taking a pay cut or doing night shift. I can only change my own practice. It is very inspiring to read Gaskin!

MS Kathy · May 22, 2005

At this point, I can't change the facility. I can't change to a different facility without taking a pay cut or doing night shift. I can only change my own practice. It is very inspiring to read Gaskin!

And really that is all you can do :-)

I know for *me* what my ideal of pregnancy and birth is- through experience and reading and listening. Reading about things that you would never even support probably- like unnassisted birth and lotus birth- to have a whole repetoire of knowledge form which to pull. I think every woman should come away from the experience empowered and not once with the words-" they made me."

So Kitty- research about what you want to work toward and the rest will come... Its not all about what our professional label is- I've seen some of the most interventive births as CNM assisted homebirths on "A BABY STORY." and I had a friend transfer 4 hours before she gave birth (b/c the DR. that came on call wouldn't let her VBAC although she had already done it once) to the hospital most of us stay away from but they followed her birth plan to a T and she came away with a wonderful experience!

I won't actually be a nursing student till August- so I may not be real clear on what my label is as a "nurse" but I hope I don't have to compromise my values as to the role of the patient in his/her health care- to much. :-)

Kathy

RNKitty · May 22, 2005

Thanks for the tip on the book. I think I'm going to read up on more cool ways to birth babies! I also think that next year I am going to take a trip to The Farm if I can to rejuvinate me spirit.

demetria · May 24, 2005

I did a seminar at the Farm two years ago and I loved it!!!

It was amazing. Ina May is amazing as are all of the other great midwives on the Farm.

She has a site here http://www.inamay.com

Demetria

SmilingBluEyes · May 24, 2005

The book is amazing. Never have been to her seminars. Never have or personally heard of a case of "tap water pneumonia" either. I know many places do tub birthing and never had I heard of complications due strictly to tub birthing!

FrumDoula · May 29, 2005

The book is amazing. Never have been to her seminars. Never have or personally heard of a case of "tap water pneumonia" either. I know many places do tub birthing and never had I heard of complications due strictly to tub birthing!

Thank you, SBE, for being the first to say this. I too am a little wary of that docs assertion. I'd like to see a little research and some case files before nixing water birth, myself.

As far as Ina May goes, she is extraordinary. Even putting aside her book (which is way hippy crunchy and a lot of fun to read), it's hard not to be impressed by The Farm's statistics. They have something on the order of a 1.4% c-section rate. This is INCLUDING breech birth, twin births, all sorts of things considered to be high or higher risk. Apparently, there's a video of a twin vertex breech birth that they did. I'd love to see it.

It might be nice to go to one of the seminars, simply to recharge your batteries, breathe in some fresh air and hook up with other people who believe in natural birth and can convince you you're not crazy. :)

Good luck,

Alison