Laboring: Stories of a New York City Hospital Midwife

by Ellen Cohen

Midwife Ellen Cohen delivered 1,400 babies in New York City hospitals during a career of more than twenty years. In this compelling first-person narrative she transports you into her world at the bedside in the maternity wards where childbirth dramas take place. In the challenging environment of urban clinics and crowded labor rooms the midwife strives to bring personalized care, dignity and a sense of empowerment to every patient. Like an updated U.S. version of "Call the Midwife," the British best seller and television series, this book describes some of the most unforgettable births, the most heartwarming -- and the rare heartbreaking -- experiences of her career. Memorable patients include Mia, a mentally ill woman whose stomach ache turns out to be a baby; teenager Shaniqua who breezes through birth despite her youth; and Jeremiah, a little boy born HIV-infected who captures the love of the entire staff. Through these stories, readers will gain insight into many variations in pregnancy and birth, and learn what is special about the midwifery approach to care. You may be surprised to learn how similar Cohen's patients' childbirth experiences were to your own, and where they differed.

Genres: Nursing, Biography Memoir, Nonfiction

170 pages, Paperback

First published November 27, 2013

Reviews

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful collection of recollections from a midwife in a busy NYC hospital practice. Her work with AIDS mamas in the 80s and 90s was a particularly fascinating chapter. Each chapter is further divided into vignettes. Well written, like that she includes medical details and some things for more advanced readers. Quick read. The organization leaves something to be desired on kindle, but it's still a good read.

[Anna Konopko · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved that this was not a book full of statistics and a regurgitation of information. The different recollections she has on patients mixed with bits of her personal life made for a very interesting read for someone who is not in the medical field. The personal bits she

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Format took some getting used to

Once I understood that this book is arranged into vignettes, I was able to enjoy it. It's a fascinating story if a career that spanned multiple eras. The best parts were the glimpses into changes in the medical over the years.

[Rebekah Loney · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not great

Im not a fan of hospital midwives or midwives who support abortion. The skill at writing the book was mediocre. No fluidity. No flow.

[Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was ok. Being a MW in NYC I thought this would of been a great read, but boy was I wrong. As you can see I started it but never finished it. Hopefully one day will.