The fascia and its role in human biology is a relatively recent development in our understanding of human anatomy. It's helped us recognise that, far from being a rigid mechanical structure, our bodies are dynamic, tensile and fluid. The type of fascia, loose or tight, temple dancer or warrior, can affect the type of labour women are likely to experience so it's of no little relevance to birth workers.
Since the RCM abandoned its campaign for normal birth and removed the word from the website, midwives have struggled to come up with another term that describes their expertise. If we are “experts in normal birth” and “normal” is no longer used, how does that affect our role as guardians of normal birth? And how do we know how many of those births take place if we don’t have a name for them?
We've had an ambition to gather anecdotal material about the use of the techniques Molly teaches for some time. Finding time to do it is another story. Bringing together accounts of the use of biomechnical techniques in practice is part of the process of gathering the evidence to validate their value as an intergral part of midwifery practice. We are delighted to have someone of Heather's ability to bring things together.
Covid 19 has forced health services to rapidly implement an almost total restructuring of services. In some trusts this has led to the closure of all maternity services apart from the obstetric unit. Is the withdrawal of home birth and Midwife led services truly justified? This blog questions the logic and the justifications for asking all women and birthing people to come into hospitals to have their baby and the risks created.
Many birth stories are disregarded, pushed aside by well meaning relatives, friends and even birth professionals, who are trying their best to help by focussing on positives. The phrase “but at least you have a healthy baby” epitomises the damaging way trauma and serious health issues can be unwittingly dismissed. Of course, everyone wants a healthy baby, but the systematic dismissal of a difficult or traumatic birth can compound it’s effects on mothers and their families.
A few weeks ago I was asked about the difference between my course and “Spinning Babies”. The short answer is - “the biomechanics are the same” - how can it be otherwise? Biomechanics is science and has an objective foundation. My course springs from over 20 years practice as a midwife and sets the insights it offers in the context of the constraints midwives encounter daily in the NHS today. The longer answer is “a bit more complicated - to find out more, read on!