Yael decided that if she were going to bring another child into the world, it would be in the community setting, in a calm and loving environment. Unfortunately, in her home country, home birth is illegal and so she was forced to seek out options further afield.
Sima decided then and there that the next baby would be a home birth, she was not going to put herself through that ordeal again.
Of a total population of 9 million, there are only about 30 working Israeli homebirth midwives, between the lush Golan heights and the deserts of Eilat. We independent midwives are a curious breed, so let me tell you a little about how I got here and shed some light on my profession. Growing up in …
I’m a Homebirth Midwife and People Think I’m Crazy! Read More »
Chani was a first time young pregnant lady of 20 years who had been through a difficult upbringing. She was so shy and quiet, that even my warmest comments barely elicited a smile from her. Deciding on a homebirth came more from a fear of the unknown, hospitals, strangers and being out of her comfort …
There are some women who embrace the homebirth paradigm prior to them even falling pregnant. They understand themselves and have tuned in to that knowing. From the minute they receive a positive pregnancy test, and sometimes even before, they are calling midwives to secure their ideal homebirth provider. Then, there are some women who come …
Aliza’s Journey from Traumatic Hospital Birth to Healing Homebirth Read More »
I put my skates on, and drove off in the direction of Tamara’s home. Back down the same winding mountainous road to the same location where I had attended the first birth of the week, was it only 3 days ago? It felt like a lifetime already! The treatments that Tamara had received earlier that …
Homebirth Midwife in the Holy Land (3) – a last surprise! Read More »
After 7 hours of intense labouring at home, Leah’s little boy was born straight into her own hands!
Six births in 4.5 days! Read how this homebirth midwife navigated through her busiest week ever!
So your pregnant wife is starting to show an interest in homebirth… welcome to the club!Give it to me simply: what does she want me to know?The article before you is long, and I imagine that not everyone will have the patience to read the whole thing. So first I will summarize the main points, …
Help! My Wife Wants a Homebirth! Information for the Skeptical Partner (Daniella Levy) Read More »
Childbirth is a rare lifetime event which leaves an indelible mark on the psyche of the birthing mother and has many long-term repercussions.
The sun was getting lower in the horizon and Abi was keen to deliver before the commencement of the Sabbath. Miriam and I lit the sabbath candles, said our prayers and hurried back to the birth room. This baby had waited the whole day and it appeared that he wasn’t rushing to be born before nightfall. As the sun set and we ushered in the Sabbath, we said goodbye to Abi’s mother over the video call and said, “see you on the other side” – it was very emotional and I am tearing up even as I write these words, knowing that her mother would have to wait over a full day to get the news.
I put her on the bed so I could get a better look at what was going on and to my utter astonishment, I saw a set of swollen lips and the tip of a nose!! SO that was what all those folds of skin were on the baby’s head!!! It was baby’s face…. It all made sense!!
Rina and her husband were getting anxious about why it was taking so long. I reassured them that all was well, that labor was just looong, but not considered dysfunctional, baby was doing great and that we could continue as long as she had strength.
An hour later still no baby. Beth was concerned. Her mind was taking her to the place that there was something wrong because it was taking so long.
I wondered who would give birth first? Moriah with natural labour which was finally progressing or Julia with the induction who had been there all day? This midwife did not know….
I reminded myself that birth is a process. Sometimes it shorter, sometimes it’s longer, but it is my sacred duty to do what’s right for the laboring woman, even if it is not convenient for me. And I have a mantra that I often use, so that I don’t feel time pressured “once a woman is in labor, I dedicate the whole day to her”.
As birth workers, we are sometimes exposed to unnecessarily violent obstetric acts, or we are coerced to be an unwilling participant in them.
The decision to have a baby in the comfort of one’s own home has risen dramatically since the start of the pandemic.
