Doula & Birth Resources
From my student midwife days I read LOADS of birth stories from women and midwives – big babies, small babies, twins, breech, older mothers, women having their fifth baby their eighth baby, long labours, slow labours, fast labours… This is how I learned of the possibilities in birth, knew I had to question everything that was being taken for granted in the medicalised birth world and just never underestimate the power of a story.
These are my personal choices. Take what you want. Leave what you don’t. Tell me if any of the links no longer work!
I sat at the feet of wise independent midwives such as Mary Cronk, and Tricia Anderson.. I joined the Association of Radical Midwives for support, education and inspiration. And I read a shit tonne of books. These are my personal favourites.
Childbirth Unmasked by Margaret Jowitt – THE book that started my journey.
Spiritual Midwifery by Ina May Gaskin
Heart and Hands by Elizabeth Davis
Listen. Question. Be open.
Inspiration
Self-taught midwife Ina May Gaskin pioneered a holistic midwifery practice for those in her community in the 70s – incredible normal birth outcomes and safety. Spiritual Midwifery is a collection of birth stories to inspire, especially the body mind connection. Yes, she’s made mistakes, but I can’t wipe out all that the Farm gave us to inspire and encourage.
The Albany Midwives 1997-2009
The Albany Midwifery Practice ran from 1997 to 2009 in Peckham, South East London. The unique model of midwifery care included continuity of carer with two named midwives and choice of place of birth. The midwives looked after over 2500 women with excellent outcomes, achieving a home birth rate of over 40% alongside a low perinatal mortality rate.
The above beautiful book has some incredible photography and stories from the Albany Practice
Normal Birth
“Slowly the baby crowned and emerged, wet and slippery, and I guided her down gently onto the waiting towels between her knees. A good midwife knows when a baby is making a smooth transition into this world and no rubbing and stimulation is necessary. This midwife was happy so I stepped back and watched. Far enough to allow this private moment to unfold, close enough to observe.” Read more of my experience here…
My Top Tips for Optimising Normal Birth
Go to: https://www.all4maternity.com/optimising-normal-birth-tips-from-a-midwife/
How to support birth physiology – written by the late Tricia Anderson, independent midwife. University lecturer and one of the women who inspired me.
Birthspirit – website by Maggie Banks, expert independent midwife in New Zealand,author of Breech Birth-Woman Wise. Free access to her resources and online videos, also online workshops available. This is an absolute must for learning.
Dr Sara Wickham – midwife, researcher and author of several AIMS publications. Reviews evidence and provides online courses on vitamin K, post term pregnancy and Group B strep.
Extensive resource of midwifery research in blog format from Dr Rachel Reed, midwife and researcher.
Supports and promotes truly holistic midwifery, based in the US, packed with articles to help you develop your knowledge and skills. The yearly conferences are a place of sisterhood and support.
Articles created and collated by Dr Michel Odent regarding the impact of environmental factors on the fetus and the birth process. Look at the in-labour intrauterine life section to get a good idea of his work about birth.
Activism and Rights
Association for Improvements in the Maternity Services
Campaigning for better births for all
Protecting human rights in childbirth
Independent information about pregnancy and birth
Raising awareness of research
Birthrights is the UK’s only organisation dedicated to improving women’s experience of pregnancy and childbirth by promoting respect for human rights. They believe that all women and birthing people are entitled to respectful maternity care that protects their fundamental rights to dignity, autonomy, privacy and equality. Leaflets can be downloaded and shared.
Informed Choice
Induction – AIMS publication written by midwife researcher Sara Wickham, to help women make an informed decision.
AIMS evidence based publication to buy on their website
Hands off that Breech by AIMS
Shawn Walker, midwife, lecturer and researcher specialising in upright breech birth, mechanisms of breech, based in the UK. Training workshops available.
Positive Twin birth in Hospital – my own experiences of supporting a mum having twins as a doula.
Twins and normal birth – positive stories
Twin Birth Story in a Birth unit
Vaginal examinations in labour
Vaginal examinations – a symptom of a cervix centric birth culture and The Assessment of Progress by Dr Rachel Reed, midwife, researcher and lecturer.
Raised BMI support and information to help decision making.
Active Birth Resources, training and the book that started my personal journey to a oxytocin filled natural homebirth of a nine pound baby.
Supporting those who have had a traumatic birth experience.
Survivors of Sexual Abuse
When Survivors Give Birth: Understanding and Healing the Effects of Early Sexual Abuse on the Childbearing Woman. This is a one of a kind book for survivors and those who work with them.
Childhood Sexual Abuse and Its Effects On Childbirth
A Sexual Assault Survivor’s Reflections on Birth
Birth Art
Birthing from Within – Using art within expectant parents to explore feelings and prepare for birth.
TalkBirth – Resource filled blog and inspiration
Birth Culture & Feminism
Robbie Davis-Floyd PhD (US) is a cultural/medical anthropologist specialising in the anthropology of reproduction. An international speaker and researcher, she is author of over 80 articles, ‘Birth as an American Rite of Passage’ (1992, 2004), co-author of From Doctor to Healer: The Transformative Journey (1998) and The Power of Ritual (2016).
Sheila Kitzinger – social anthropologist and birth activist, author of A Passion for Birth: My Life: Anthropology, Family and Feminism, Pinter & Martin 2015 a Birth & Sex: The Power and the Passion, Pinter & Martin 2012.
Feminism and Birth by Evony Lynch
PS. Just in case there is any doubt. I am an intersectional feminist. Not everyone who gives birth is a woman. I support all birthing people.
Spirituality
The psycho-social model of birth considers the whole woman, yet added to this is a layer of spirituality often overlooked in western culture. Here are some links you may like to consider.
“I understood, that as their midwife, I would sit at their feet and learn from them. From these many birthing experiences I was blessed to witness, the Holistic Stages of Birth were born.”
Holistic Stages of Birth by The Matrona
A visionary and spiritual midwife in the US, creator of the phrase’Birthkeeper’.
Spirituality and Childbirth: Meaning and Care at the Start of Life by Susan Crowther
Books & More…
Reclaiming Childbirth as a Rite of Passage by Rachel Reed – In this book, she weaves history, science and research with the experiences of women and care providers to create a holistic, evidence-based framework for understanding birth.
Gentle Birth Gentle Mothering by Sarah Buckley – From pregnancy to birth and motherhood, from an evidence based physiological perspective. She’s an expert on the hormones of birth. Written for women with valuable knowledge for all.
Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year by Susun Weed Simple safe remedies and nutrition to support pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and new babies.
Birth in Focus by Becky Reed. Birth photography and stories.
The Midwife Companion – Andrea Robertson
A Birth Path – stages and states of consciousness by Hazel Tree. The stages of labour revisted. Beautiful and educational.
Childbirth in the Age of Plastics by Michel Odent – explores and considers the ‘industrialisation’ of childbirth and the potential implications on society now and in the future.
The Association For Prenatal And Perinatal Psychology And Health
APPPAH is a public-benefit educational and scientific organization offering information, inspiration, and support to medical professionals, expecting parents, and all persons interested in expanding horizons of birth psychology.
Biomechanics of Birth
This is a must for every midwife, doula and birthworker. Just go and do a workshop so you understand the importance of the pelvis, the baby and the dance that the body does to birth them.
Spinning Babies
Understand fetal positioning and practical measures to support optimal birth using rebozo techniques and more. I suggest this site LOTS to women.
