Summary Of Ina May Gaskin's Spiritual Midwife

As a nurse Midwife, you will come across a wide array of circumstances and meet families from all walks of life. No matter race, social class, language barrier, or level of education you are there to serve the purpose of providing health care and a welcoming environment.
The first major concern is the mother. Therefore you need to establish an interpersonal relationship with her. Gain an understanding of where her comfort lies and what she expects during those hours you are both together. Get to know the mother as well as you can. In Spiritual Midwifery by Ina May Gaskin, the author stresses the importance of the fact that physical touch has an effect on the communication between mother and nurse; “Touch is the most basic, the most nonconceptual form of communication that we as nurses have. In touch there are no language barriers; anything that can walk, fly, creep, crawl, or swim already speaks it.” In other words, if you are unsure how to verbally express yourself, instill trust through your hands.
My first delivery as a newly graduated nurse midwife was when I experienced the importance
Two more pushes and baby will be born!” I remember telling her while carefully studying the baby’s position and the mother’s breathing. Despite the mother’s intense contractions and difficulty maneuvering; she remained composed and abided by my directions by holding my hand. Due to my lack of experience at the time I was accompanied by a head Midwife. Throughout this birth I studied the strong chemistry between the head Midwife and Amelia, so much power was radiating in that room. Baby Liam Wilcott was born a striking 9lbs and 4oz, along with the amniotic sac still intact. This rare occasion is known as a ‘caul birth’. Amelia began to cry in disbelief at the sight of how lucky her newborn was.Going off of this idea your strength lies beneath your hands and voice. Let the mother be sure that she is in good hands, and you have full control of the