My Bag Was Always Packed: The Life and Times of a Virginia Midwife

by Claudine Curry Smith, Mildred H.B. Roberson

Claudine Curry Smith delivered over 500 babies in her three decades as a midwife in rural Virginia, traveling at all times of day and night and in all sorts of weather. Born in 1918, this remarkable woman grew up in the segregated South, married at seventeen, raised seven children, drove a school bus for 37 years, picked crabs, shucked oysters, cut and packed fish, picked and peeled tomatoes, shucked corn, took care of children and elderly people, looked after sick folks, and cooked and cleaned for White people as well as for her own family. Married for 67 years, she is a treasure trove of stories about her life and times. When her first child was born with the help of a midwife, she was only 17 and living with her grandparents. To let the midwife, an aunt, know that labor had begun, someone rode by horseback to her home and she returned in her horse and buggy. Although there was no running water or electricity there, everything was ready for the midwife and the delivery went smoothly.Mrs. Smiths own practice as a midwife included many homes without running water or electricity, but she always knew what to do. She delivered several premature babies and even a set of twins. And in all her years of practice, she never lost a mother.This book tells her story in her own words, with some background information written by the co-author to provide historical context. Her story illustrates the challenges and joys of a way of life unknown to much of contemporary American society but greatly valued by African Americans throughout the South. It offers one of the few written accounts of a time and practice largely ignored by history.

192 pages, Paperback

First published February 21, 2003

Reviews

[Joanna]

To be honest, I was rather taken-back by how under-trained the midwives of the deep south were. I guess I shouldn't be surprised, as medicine in general has developed enormously since then. But still - they weren't even taught simple things like how to perform resuscitation on a baby, or to keep the baby in skin-to-skin contact with the mother. She described using a bucket of warm water and a bucket of cold water to dunk babies that weren't breathing (if spanking them didn't work). It was also sad to read how restricted they were legally; she recounted a breech birth in which the head got stuck and the baby died. When a doctor complained that she should have helped maneuver the baby out when it got stuck, she replied that the midwives weren't allowed under any circumstances to put their hands inside of the woman. They weren't even allowed to bring (sterile) gloves with them, to prevent them from doing anything internal. So sad!
I found it fascinating to read her describe the dietary changes she has observed in the population in general; when she was young everyone had their own garden with plenty of fresh veggies, and their own animals to slaughter. They also got more exercise, as they had to walk most places. She explained her concern for the next generation that preferred to purchase prepared foods with less nutritional value. I also found it interesting to read her feeling that women should be made to rest for at least a month after the birth. She said that was the tradition back in her day, but that nowadays women assume that as soon as they are released from the hospital, they can go around like normal. Fascinating to read about the culture shift.
It was also interesting to read about her perception of the difference in pain levels between her clients. In her own words: "I don't think the colored population really has much pain - the more sophisticated you get the more educated you get and the more you read, the more you worry and the more pain you have. But they don't worry as much and they consider childbirth is a natural phenomenon."As far as what I will do different based on the knowledge I gained from this book; I think I will strive to be more compassionate and caring like Claudine was. To really be able to help women feel comfortable and relax during labor, and encourage them to walk. I also think I will realize that our knowledge of medicine is constantly changing and developing, so I shouldn't be surprised if people think of midwives as old-timish.

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exceptional woman. She lit a bright candle to the holistic and woman-centered care that midwifery truly is, and tirelessly and selflessly fought to keep it burning amidst many barriers and restrictions placed in front of lay midwives in the 1950s. Not only a midwife, Claudia was also a mother to 7 kids, faithful wife, grandmother to 23, bus driver, and extremely resourceful. A great example of the innovation she possessed is the time she was forced to quickly create a makeshift incubator for a premature babe for a hospital transfer. The OBGYN at the Richmond hospital commended her for acting swiftly to stabilize the babe’s temperature. She was proud of that. I continue to wonder when she found time for sleep?! It’s a written fact that she touched the hearts and lives of many mamas and babies of her time. In addition, it was fascinating learning the context of midwifery practice in VA pre and post Civil Rights.

[Lakeesha J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is yet another literary guide to show the intellect and care that black community midwives used in the care of all communities.