Interested in becoming
a MIDWIFE?

Check out these links:

How to Become a Midwife,
Doula or Childbirth Educator

So, You Want to Be a
Midwife?  - Great article!

Ancient Art Midwifery -a respected, established home curriculum committed to preserving midwifery

International School of
Traditional Midwifery -
Ashland, Oregon

Birthingway College of
Midwifery - Portland, Oregon

Finding the Right Midwife For You
Interviewing a Midwife - information and questions to make the "job" of finding the right provider for you easier and smoother...

BirthPartners.com -  a great place to search for a midwife across the country. Also lists doulas and childbirth educators.

Midwife Info.com - another great site to locate midwives in your area

Birth Stories and Birth Pictures
A birth story in 100 photographs - besides being visually stunning, this birth story / pictorial demonstrates clearly how normal and beautiful birth is.  Andrea Noll, from Hungary, is a strong childbirth activist, doula and a wonderful mama! Her site also has video footage of this birth and some great childbirth-related articles.

A warm, loving outdoor waterbirth with pictures - I love this birth story with the pictures of the mother laughing as her baby is born outside in her hot tub on a sunny morning.  No interference from anyone, midwives calmly standing by and allowing the mother to do what her body leads her to do perfectly.

A Wonderful Birth Story with Pictures - A sweet waterbirth story and pictures from a couple in Hood River, Oregon. Their site also has information on prenatal yoga, including pictures of various poses.

The Birth of Grey Forest Walt - this outdoor birth is accompanied by a narrative from the mother. Very moving, very powerful.

Birth Rite of Samuel Rune - the little brother to Grey Forest Walt is born - this time, it's an unassisted birth full of empowerment and strength. Like Grey's birth story, it has beautiful photographs!

Birth Stories.com - This site has a fabulous collection of birth stories - everything from hospital births with epidurals to homebirths. Nicely categorized for those seeking a particular type of birth story.

The Labor of Love Birth Stories - Over 750 collected birth stories, in a variety of settings and belief systems. Categorized for easy access.

Birth Stories - from a Dutch woman who lives here in the US, a treasury of birth stories to peruse! Easily categorized and summarized based on each birth.

Unassisted Childbirth Stories - beautiful birth stories told by women who have had unassisted births (births without a doctor or midwife present)

Birth Stories from StorkNet - Lots of birth stories - from cesarean to homebirths. Each story link has a summary to help with finding the types of stories you are looking for.

Prenatal Testing Information
Gestational Diabetes - Is it a real condition? Should every woman be screened for it? Is the screen accurate?  Is treatment successful?  Compelling points

Prenatal Testing - Good site that has information on the various types of testing that is available, the risks/benefits, and alternatives.

Picture Perfect: The Politics of Prenatal Testing - A thought-provoking article on prenatal testing, the labeling of people as "defective" and how we use the information we gain from such testing.

More Prenatal Testing Pros/Cons - information about each type of test, the risks/benefits

Induction Issues
Induction Dangers - A collection of articles and writings from the Birthlove website that discusses the issues surrounding induction of pregnancy.

Induction of Labor -  A wise article by Henci Goer, filled with evidence-based research on the pros/cons of labor induction.

The Devil Cytotec - An array of articles, research, and anecdotal storeis that question the safety of Cytotec (misoprostal) as an induction agent for pregnant women.

Cytotec: Dangerous Experiment or Panacea? Great article by midwife Ina May Gaskin on this drug being used to induce labor.

Cytotec for Induction of Labor: A Cautionary Tale - A fabulous article by Marsden Wagner, MD

Cesarean Delivery More Likely In Labor Induction for "Large" Baby

Labor Induction: When A Big Baby Is Expected - Another great resource from Henci Goer.

When Is That Baby Due? Great research on why ultrasound due dates are inaccurate, as well as different ways to determine your due date. Wonderful perspective on how damaging - both emotionally and physically - the "due date" can be to women and babies.

A large and extensive collection of resources on the subject of VBAC
 

Birth Issues and Preparation

Honoring Body Wisdom   Perineal Protection?  From Whom?
Get off your Back!    Why vertical delivery is easier on you and your baby.

Are Midwives Failing Women?   A necessary and timely article written by a dear friend of mine that examines what midwives can do to truly be 'with woman'.

Why Wait to Clamp the Umbilical Cord? Research shows that there are many benefits to waiting until the placenta is delivered before clamping and cutting the umbilical cord.

Newborn Procedures:   Vitamin K / Eye Ointment / PKU or Newborn Screening - Your choices, the reasons why, and the risks/benefits.

Unassisted Childbirth - Families choose unassisted birth (a homebirth without a  midwife, physician, etc.) for a variety of different reasons, but their passion and honesty are clear. This site offers a great start in researching unassisted birth and resources.