Midwifery Is Catching

Ingrid conHausen was a librarian in New Hamburg, Ontario.

Free-lance journalist Barrington became involved in the midwifery movement in 1981 and is a member of the Midwifery Task Force of Ontario. Her first child was born at home “mid-wife attended.” In this second edition of her book she has “made some corrections” to the recent first edition.

Part One, “An Overview,” traces the decline and renaissance of midwifery in Canada. Barrington explains what it is, how it is learned and practised, and how modern hospital deliveries have practically eliminated the role of these “wise women,” a role whose revival is beginning to make more and more sense. Part Two, “In Particular,” goes into personal experiences and case histories of present-day mid-wife attended births. Part Three, “The Political,” deals with the law and the midwifery movement. It discusses the hostility but also the acceptance of this ancient practise on the part of organized medicine. Safety aspects are also examined. The appendices offer suggestions on finding and choosing a mid-wife. This may not be easy: the Yukon and Newfoundland have no midwives; Quebec boasts 20; the other provinces range somewhere in between.

The book has an excellent colour photo on the cover, but the black-and-white photos inside are of indifferent quality. The author makes a convincing and passionate case for the inclusion of midwifery in standard obstetrical practise. She is at the forefront of a movement that may well see midwifery become once more an accepted adjunct to birth procedures as well as performing very useful prenatal and post-natal services to parents.