Birth Models That Work

by Robbie E. Davis-Floyd (Editor), Lesley Barclay (Editor), Jan Tritten (Editor)

This groundbreaking book takes us around the world in search of birth models that work in order to improve the standard of care for mothers and families everywhere. The contributors describe examples of maternity services from both developing countries and wealthy industrialized societies that apply the latest scientific evidence to support and facilitate normal physiological birth; deal appropriately with complications; and generate excellent birth outcomes—including psychological satisfaction for the mother. The book concludes with a description of the ideology that underlies all these working models—known internationally as the midwifery model of care.

Genres: Nonfiction

496 pages, Hardcover

Published April 6, 2009

Reviews

[Joanna]

This book really opened my eyes to the beauty of midwifery. The stories from the Free Standing Birth Center in England especially caught my attention. In one of the stories a teenager came in to the birth center really distraught. She had been in labor for a while, but wasn’t progressing. She was thrashing around on the bed, so finally they took the bed out of the room and the midwife asked everyone except the young woman to leave. When everyone was out of the room, the midwife simply held the all-to-soon mother in her arms, and let her cry for hours. Somehow during that time the young woman was able to accept her pregnancy, and move on. She had a perfectly normal birth after that. What would have happened if the same teenager had been admitted into a hospital? She simply would not have received the emotional care that she needed, and in its place medical interventions probably would have taken place. Where as both options would have resulted in a baby in her arms, by having a midwife “to act as mum” she received the emotional care that she needed. “Midwives should seek ways to rehabilitate ‘nurture’ and ‘love’, derivative of matrescence, as familiar childbirth language and as mainstream caring activities in child birth. “ - pg. 175 It’s part of our inheritance as midwives to show Elohim’s motherly side to the women we minister to. Elohim gave birth to creation, nurtures the people of Israel as a mother suckles her child at her breast and protects the nation as a hen protects its chicks. As imitators of our Elohim, we would be doing well to do the same.
Further more, isn’t it possible that the pain of childbirth that the young woman finally was able to accept, prepared her to accept motherhood and its sacrifices? In Japan, labor pain is “thought of as...a chance to nourish... motherhood”. (pg. 218) “The experience of pain...has made her stronger both mentally and physically to be able to accept the reality she faces. The baby in her arms is decisive evidence that she could overcome the pain and is now a mother with a responsibility to look after her baby...” pg. 225 Perhaps women can handle labor pains if they are not left alone but are supported by a mother-like figure.
In Japan, c-sections are also frowned upon, following the ideology that “...women can and should follow what they are born to do physiologically.” This cultural context makes for an incredibly low rate of analgesic delivery at 2.1% (pg. 216) and a close to optimal caesarean rate of 17.4%. Although the vast majority of births take place in hospitals, a lot of the older doctors take pride in delivering the most difficult cases vaginally. The reason they give is that “these skills created the difference between ‘obstetricians’ and ‘surgeons’” and they don’t want that line blurred.
Another thing that this book impressed upon me is how behind the US really is compared to the rest of the world in obstetrics. So many other countries around the world have legalized midwifery and incorporated it into their national health programs. It blew my mind to read about use of government health funds to pay midwives to perform home births in places like New Zealand and the Netherlands. Perhaps the main reason we are behind is the pervasive thinking in America that birth is a dangerous thing. Ultimately we as women have the power to choose and we have to want normal births. We have to believe in God that our bodies are wonderfully designed for this very purpose, and let go of fear. Only then will we as women be empowered to step into what Yehovah has called us to do.

[Elaine Dolan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Robbie Davis- Floyd has done amazingly comprehensive research on the topic of Birthing Methods that honor and hear the women whose process is sadly seldom understood by MALE medical models. She elevates the woman's choice in the matter, no matter what style birth is being chosen, both culturally and personally.

I don't give this book five stars because it was hard to plug through...but I knew in doing so, I got to see more of a reality that has been always painful for women--NOT birthing!.... Rather being relegated to a second class status in medicalized depersonalized birth, even when it comes to what ONLY she can accomplish...the birth of her babies.

[Jean Panek · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great examination of birth models around the world. Inspires and challenges you to rethink the way birth is handled.

[p roper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some birth models work, some don't.

[Susan Kasza · Rating 1 out of 5]

I must be honest and disclose that I didn't read the whole book. I only read the portions that were required for an upcoming course. For me, what earned it only one star was the attitude that "modern maternity care and childbirth is evil".