Diary of a Midwife: The Power of Positive Childbearing

by Juliana van Olphen-Fehr

Book Overview

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...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0897895886
• ISBN13: 9780897895880
• Release Date: October 1998
• Publisher: Praeger
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.0" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

She did it first!

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.

An Inspiring and Absorbing Read

As an aspiring nurse-midwifery student, this book kept me captivated from the instant I began to read it. Less than 24 hours later, I am (sadly) done, and I am full of renewed excitement about the field I plan to enter. I would call this book an excellent and entertaining source of information for midwifes, those considering a career in midwifery, and expectant mothers who are weighing their birthing options. What I did not expect, and was pleased to read, were the author's accounts of the political aspects of being a midwife in the frequently hostile environment of the US health care system. As I read, my face registered giddy smiles, tears, and a creased forehead. It was definitely an emotional rollercoaster, but I have five women I know who I am absolutely going to force to read this book.

Fantastic!

I was looking into Midwifery when I came to know of this book. I read it and knew, I will become a midwife! Now, I have the great and awesome priviledge of being HER student. She defines midwifery. Women every where are lucky to have her teaching the midwives of tomorrow.

Engaging, Informative Reading!

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.

The most beautiful book on birth I've ever read

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!