I just finished reading The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon, an historical fiction novel set in 1789 and based on the true life of Martha Ballard, a midwife. It’s set in a small riverfront community in Central Maine, in winter. It’s not really my era of choice for historical fiction nor do I have much interest in midwives, but several people had recommended it, so I dived in (pun intended). Plus, there’s a murder, which is always fun. 

Of the many themes captured in the book, the one that kept repeating itself for me was Martha reporting on the status of the mothers in labor. “She’s transitioning” or “has she transitioned yet?” etc. And although I understand she’s referencing that moment when the pregnant mother’s body is moving from regular labor to actually pushing the baby out, I thought about a different kind of transition.