'...
Birthspirit belongs to all women and families. She manifests that
which has been unsaid, expressing her self in the language of women.
Knowing her fills the void that exists from the loss of story telling
in our families and our communities. She enables us to see the depths
- and to see the simplicity.' more
About Birthspirit
Editorial Maggie
Banks page
5 Full
text PDF (107 KB) FREE
Impressionable
Sheena Lee
page 6
Full text PDF (127 KB)
Are
Midwives More ‘At Home’ at Home?
Suzanne Miller
pages 7-11
Full text PDF (183 KB)
Evidence that place of birth influences midwifery practice is discussed,
and Suzanne’s own research which examined similarities and differences
in practice of a single group of midwives, according to birthplace, is
introduced.
page
12
Full text PDF (110 KB)
Photograph
Waterbirth
in New Zealand: Herstory and Politics
Maggie Banks pages
13-19 Full
text PDF (238 KB) FREE
The contentious start waterbirth had in New Zealand in the 1980s is explored
in this article, along with some issues which now impact on midwifery
practice and women’s experiences as waterbirth becomes increasingly
available in obstetric hospital settings.
Welcome
Home, Selina!
Carolyn Young
page 20
Full text PDF (126 KB)
A father’s story, as retold by Carolyn, connects to the universal
importance of the place of birth, and the lasting effect it can have on
communities.
Hands-Off
Midwifery and the Art of Balance
Sara Wickham
pages 21-24
Full text PDF (195 KB)
The trend towards a hands-off approach to midwifery practice is explored
by Sara, and she raises some issues that need to be considered in line
with midwives’ and women’s experiences of increasing autonomy.
Midwifery
Stitches page
25
Full text PDF (113 KB)
page
28
Full text PDF (160 KB)
Photograph - Intact umbilical cord following placental birth
Leaving
Well Alone in the Third Stage of Labour
Sarah J Buckley pages
29-34
Full text PDF (326 KB)
In this review of newborn and maternal physiology following birth, Sarah
focuses on the importance of supporting the newborn’s transition
by delayed, or no, umbilical cord clamping.
Birth
as a Healer Ruth
Hungerford
pages 35-38
Full text PDF (277 KB)
Stepping
Stones and Cervical Wisdom
Sara Wickham
pages 39-42
Full text PDF (156 KB)
Watching, listening to and talking with women, and each other, grows our
understanding of the diversity that makes up women’s experiences
of childbirth. In this article, how individual women’s cervixes
‘behave’ in labour is used to illustrate the process of increasing
midwifery knowledge.
Mamatoto
Calling Maggie
Banks pages
43-46
Full text PDF (68.3 KB)
Going
with the Flow – An Alternative Perspective on VBAC
Lorna Davies pages 47-50
Full text PDF
(110 KB)
A practice incident
triggered renewed reflection on the evidence relating to vaginal birth
after Caesarean section (VBAC), and the option of waterbirth in a tertiary
care setting for a subsequent labour and birth.
Meeting
Places: Differences and Conflict in the Real World Sue Lennox
pages 51-54
Full text PDF (137 KB)
Preparing ourselves to negotiate effectively in conflict situations with
colleagues or clients is reflected upon in this article. Frameworks are
introduced which may enhance the capacity for negotiating and collaborating,
and recognising our own triggers that stimulate conflict.
Training,
What Training? Sarah Pallett
page 55
Full text PDF (42.5 KB)
Breastfeeding:
Re-establishing a Cultural Norm Trudy Hart
pages 57-61
Full text PDF (277 KB)
An overview of the importance of successful breastfeeding and skin-to-skin
contact on the health, development and wellbeing of mother and baby introduces
a forthcoming series of articles that will appear in subsequent Issues.
Daughter,
Sister, Mother, Midwife Maggie Banks
pages 62-63
Full text PDF (260 KB)
Keep
on Singing When Life’s a Breech Maggie Banks
pages 64-65
Full text PDF (242 KB)
Wise Woman Archives Trust Inc.
pages 66-67 Full text PDF
(103 KB) FREE
How
Things Change…
page 67
Full text PDF (59.9 KB)
Back inside cover
page 71
Full text PDF (115 KB)
Photograph - Drying umbilical cord (with placenta in bag) with lotus birth
Birthspirit is the website of Birthspirit Ltd, 15 Te Awa Rd, RD
3, Hamilton, New Zealand
Email: maggiebanks@birthspirit.co.nz or tonybanks@birthspirit.co.nz
Phone 64 7 856 4612 Fax 64 7 856 3070
Birthspirit
and the 'B' styled symbol at the beginning of the name Birthspirit
are registered trademarks belonging to Birthspirit Ltd. All intellectual
property rights in that name and symbol, together with those relating
to this website, belong to Birthspirit Ltd.
