Tuesday, February 13

Labour of Love – Amanda Tattam & Cate Kennedy (ed.)

Subtitled Tales from the world of midwives, this moving and inspiring collection of midwives’ tales arose from a 2002 decision by a branch of the Australian Midwifery Council Inc. to counter the invisibility of midwifery work in Australia. 43 practitioners relay their experiences in a variety of midwifery and maternal and child health setting; arranged thematically, the stories cover deliveries in traditional Western labour wards, in war zones, in indigenous communities and Papua New Guinea, and at home, as well as deliveries with devastating outcomes. The stories also look at areas of midwifery and maternal and child health that may be less evident – care and intervention after birth. The book concludes with a series of reflections on practice change, experiences that don’t fit in the main categories, and innovative practice.
Like all anthologies, some stories shone more brightly than others, and the amateur nature of the authors was sometimes evident, primarily through a lack of clear narrative thread. Overall, though, the standard was very high, and the world of midwifery is comprehensively, candidly and engagingly portrayed. I certainly have a better picture of the potential for conflict with obstetricians, and an even higher regard for the work of midwives. - Alex

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