Lonnie Morris, CNM, ND
Founder and Director, The Childbirth Center
Fort Lee, New Jersey
www.childbirthcenter.net

More about Lonnie Morris

 

If women are destined to bring new life into the world, why do we allow others to take charge of this part of our lives?

As a practicing midwife, I have spent a great deal of time helping women understand the importance of taking control of birth. Since ancient times, women have burned the flame for home and hearth, yet we have sometimes refused to see our own power within the family structure.

Women are strong and capable and can (and do!) birth their babies. We must regain our rightly place in society and reclaim our rights in birthing our children.

Relinquishing our birth robs us of our power. Women of earth, take back your birth!

What is midwifery?

People in many countries are questioning the increasing use of surgeons to intervene in the normal process of labor. Midwives are trained in supporting undisturbed births.

Midwifery is an ancient calling with a proud tradition. In most developed countries, the education and training of midwives developed as an independent profession alongside medicine and nursing. In the United States, midwives, whether formally or informally trained, continued the proud tradition of attending childbearing women at home until the early part of the 20th century. At that time, the medical community promoted the surgical specialty of the obstetrician–gynecologist, effectively replacing the midwife. By the 1950s, most women had moved into the hospital for labor and birth, influenced by the lure of medication and anesthesia for pain relief and the promise of safety

Midwives continue to provide comprehensive care to women. They practice in hospitals, in birth centers, and at private homes.

To learn more:
www.childbirthcenter.net/midwifeinfo.html

Where can I find a midwife?

In the United States, visit the website of the American College of Nurse-Midwives:
www.midwife.org Click on “Find a Midwife” along the top of the screen, under the organization’s name.

In other countries, visit the website of the International Confederation of Midwives:
www.internationalmidwives.org