• Flowers - Gardening - Herbs - Midwifery - Women

    Herbs in a Nosegay

    This summer I have had more time in the garden. The flowers and herbs are flourishing. I picked a nosegay including these herbs with their flowers: calendula, echinacea, feverfew, lavender, mint, lemon balm and marjoram. Some years ago, when I was working as maternity nurse and Lamaze instructor, I came…

  • Faith - Midwifery - Women

    Strong Women: Midwives and Nurses

    As we look back through history, we come across women who demonstrated faith and courage. Their actions were based on convictions. Some are midwives, and some are nurses. The first book of Exodus records the confrontation between Pharoah and two midwives. Shiprah and Puah did not carry out the Pharoah’s…

  • Book Reviews - Children - Midwifery - Women

    Immigrant Women and Midwives

    A couple of books have stirred my thoughts and emotions. I read a lot—sometimes three books in a week.  I don’t review many. These two books have touched me. The Children’s Blizzard by Melanie Benjamin is historical fiction based on a real event. In 1888 a blizzard came on suddenly in…

  • Childbirth - Midwifery - Prayer - Women

    She Asked Me to Pray

    After working in hospital labor/delivery units for many years, I had the opportunity to join a home birth practice. I attended healthy women in labor at home. During the active phase of labor the doctor or midwife arrived. Approximately ten percent of the women were transferred to the hospital for…

  • Childbirth - Family - Midwifery - Women

    The Changing Ways of Birth

    I was born in Michigan, and so was my mother. My grandmother was born in Finland. My grandmother gave birth to her children at home. My mother gave birth in the hospital during the obstetric practice of twilight sleep and delivery with forceps. I gave birth by cesarean section. As…

  • Book Reviews - Faith - Midwifery - Women

    Women Who Inspire Us

    Today is the final day of March, Women’s History Month. The month has been designated for noting the contributions that women have made in our country. This year celebrates 100 years since women were given the right to vote.  We remember the suffragettes. Their accomplishment is important, but there are…