Diary of a Midwife [Paperback]

Juliana van Olphen-Fehr (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0897895886 | ISBN-13: 978-0897895880 | Publication Date: October 1, 1998 | Edition: 1

Despite our country's affluence and high-tech advances in neonatal intensive care, in 1994 the U.S. ranked twenty-first in infant mortality rates among developed countries with populations over 2.5 million. Women with low-risk pregnancies are frequently failed by the traditional obstetrical system, either because they cannot afford proper prenatal care--and therefore often give birth to babies who need to be assisted by expensive neonatal intensive care--or because the system fosters an attitude of dependency on doctors, surgery and drugs, rather than a sense of empowerment during the birth process. This enlightening book demonstrates with conviction that childbirth can and should be a process of empowerment, and that midwifery should be the standard of care for women with low-risk pregnancies. Diary of a Midwife, written by a certified nurse-midwife and the founder of the first nurse-midwifery graduate education program in Virginia, is based on the author's 13 years delivering babies in rural Virginia. Through the author's experiences as a midwife, mother of three, and veteran of training as a labor and delivery nurse in a busy hospital's maternity ward, the midwife care alternative is revealed to be the best way for healthy women to be collaborators in their own care. Midwives encourage women to develop their inner power for the birth process by providing teaching, support, and comfort. Adequate prenatal care reduces the number of premature and low-birth weight babies, and costly, traumatic medical interventions such as Cesarean and forceps deliveries, episiotomies and routine anesthesia are often avoided. Author Juliana van Olphen-Fehr movingly shows that midwifery is an art and that it can do much to create mothers who are able to greet their newborns with dignified, loving, and strong arms. _

Editorial Reviews

Review

“With the United States ranking among the top 25 nations in infant mortality, and with the lack of health insurance for many women, midwives offering patient-centered care to low-risk women are a necessary alternative. Van Olphen-Fehr's crusade is an important one. Recommended for all collections.”–Library Journal

“Van Olphen-Fehr's many patient-care anecdotes, drawn from her midwifery practice (and replete with dialogue), are often absorbing, demonstrating how pregnant women can be counseled to take care of their physical and emotional needs during pregnancy and to participate actively during the birth process.”–Publishers Weekly

“This book demonstrates great courage. It gives an accurate account of issues we face in modern-day birth....I was mesmerized by the power of Juliana's observations and insights....This fascinating book will inspire care providers and families to reclaim the power of birth simply by its honesty.”–Midwifery Today

“This is a beautiful book which accurately describes the situation in the United States today with regard to the practice of midwifery. Every statement in this book is scientifically accurate and medically valid. ...Women in the U.S. who are pregnant or want to be pregnant should read this book before they choose their maternity care provider....I can recommend this book without reservation to everyone.”–Marsden Wagner, MD, MSPH Former Director of Women and Children's Health World Health Organization

“This book is a must for all midwives...and for all who want to reclaim the confidence and dignity that is the right of birthing women.”–Peggy O'Mara Editor and Publisher, Mothering Magazine

“Juliana Fehr's book is as honest and courageous as she is. What a midwife! Every pregnant woman in America would do well to read it.”–Ina May Gaskin, MA, CPM President, Midwives' Alliance of North America

Book Description

Based on the author's 13 years as a nurse-midwife, this book shows how women with low-risk pregnancies can be cared for by a midwife, allowing them to take control of the birth process and to avoid costly and traumatic interventions of drugs and surgery.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 221 pages
• Publisher: Bergin & Garvey Trade; 1 edition (October 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0897895886
• ISBN-13: 978-0897895880
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #984,373 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most beautiful book on birth I've ever read, June 6, 1999

By 

Jennie Chancey - See all my reviews

This review is from: Diary of a Midwife (Paperback)

I read this book straight through while traveling recently, unable to put it down except for meal breaks! I cried through the stories of difficult hospital births, laughed through the many inspiring accounts of incredible home births and finally put the book down with a feeling of great joy and inspiration. _Diary of a Midwife_ is a keeper and worth giving to every woman you know. Juliana's insights into women's health and particularly into the "birthrights" that women have lost in the past few decades are revealing and thought-provoking.

If you are already a midwifery advocate, this book will serve to cement your beliefs. If you have doubts about the safety of home birth, this book will challenge your thinking. If you'd like to try "natural" birthing, but are a little worried, Diary of a Midwife will encourage you to find the strength you already possess and experience the true joy in giving birth.

On a personal note, I called Juliana in 1996 when I found out I was expecting my first child. Although she was shutting down her midwifery practice to start the new school at Shenandoah University, she took the time to talk to me about my options and refer me to some other midwives in the area. Her book only served to reinforce my positive impression of her and midwives in general, and I have now had two midwife-attended births--one in a center and one at home--both incredible, happy experiences. _Diary of a Midwife_ is empowering, motivating and beautiful. I cannot recommend it highly enough!

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars She did it first!, April 17, 2002

By 

Peggy Vincent "author and reader" (Oakland, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Diary of a Midwife (Paperback)

Three years ago, while I was researching available midwifery books in preparation for writing my own recently-published midwife memoir, BABY CATCHER: Chronicles of a Modern Midwife, I found Juliana's book, snatched it up, and devoured it. Sitting on the subway, I muttered aloud, 'Rats, someone else wrote the book I should have written!' But I wrote my own story, anyway, because, after all, it's different from her story. I enjoyed and appreciated every line of Juliana's book, paralleling as it does the struggles of most midwives who have tried to maintain a private practice. I recommend her book without qualification, not just as a midwife tale but also as a memoir of a courageous and empassioned woman leader.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Engaging, Informative Reading!, August 23, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Diary of a Midwife (Paperback)

I picked up Juliana's book and couldn't put it down! As someone who has chosen a home birth, I found her book to be uplifting and educational. Juliana opens herself up to us the readers offering both the rewarding and challenging side of being a nurse midwife. I was gripped by the many stories of births she attended both in hospitals and at a variety of homes. If you are even mildly curious about what nurse midwives are about and what they do, read this book! Physicians and nurse midwives who are committed to home births are committed individuals indeed. Thank you Juliana for this look at your life and your profession.