New Mexico Midwives

Thank you MANA, ICTC and Florida midwives for a beautiful and inspiring conference. It was an honor to be among you!

from Emily, Michelle, Elizabeth and Ruth

Mirala por donde viene,
Mirala por donde llega
La Virgen de la Barquera.
Ya se van marineros,
ya llevan el muelle,
Que la reina del cielo embarcar quiere.

Sisters on a Journey

From MJ Hanafin, CNM, Homeopath from England--

Wow, so good to be back into the energy of my sister midwives, you and wise ones too. I have been a 24/7 carer for my lovely mum for the last 3 plus years after she had a severe stroke leaving her totally paralyzed accept for her right arm. She can talk which is quite a blessing. It's lonely, hard work but she has a great sense of humor and she is very sweet and grateful. So, tho it's hard work, I wouldn't wish it to be anything else. But getting an energy boost from "my women" now and again keeps my spirits up and batteries recharged to give my mother the care she deserves. Blessings to you all, MJ

From Nancy Rotecki, NP, CNM, MPH from Seattle, WA

This is my first blog experience-being a midwife working in women's health for the Seattle Public Health department. I dearly miss my midwifery practice of 22 years at the Health Dept, but love the diverse clients I see day to day. The issue is affordable health care; this is an ever present concern for the women I serve. I hope we can effect this idea that health care is our right in my life time.

Looking Forward

Thank you so much to Diane Holzer for dedicating 20 years to the MANA Board! She has been tireless in her work and visioning for the future of midwifery in the US and internationally. Gera Simpkin will be looking forward with the rest of the MANA board to more ways of promoting midwifery for all women.
The Midwives Alliance is IN CHARGE!

Karen's Two Cents

Birth Works!!

-- Karen Ehrlich, CPM, LM

We are FAMily

The Foundation for the Advancement of Midwifery (FAM) is committed to increasing access to midwifery, through research, public education, and public initiatives. We are the only grant-making, midwifery-related organization in the country.
Please support our work and help our vision become a reality: that midwifery is available, affordable and respected; and birth has been returned to women, families and normalcy.
Visit FAM at www.formidwifery.org.
-- submitted by Priya Morganstern, FAM Board member extraordinaire

MANA on a break

What would we do without Tina, Linda and Maggie? These women are in Charge and are taking the rest of us along for the ride. Thank you for all of your hard work.

Doing the Board Walk

Tamara, Vicki, and Sheila

We are having so much fun and getting a lot done. We enjoy each other's company and hearing our stories. Doing the board walk....board walk!

Noah Was Born!

Zachary, Noah and Joshua

Welcome to Noah Justin Colety, born at home on September 14, 2007!

Noah joins his super big brothers, Joshua and Zachary, all born at home to midwife Lisa de la Fuente and Brian Colety.

Birth is a process, not a procedure.

Lisa and Noah

Just One More

lovely photo of Orion with his proud parents. I recently came across something an MD said at the end of his post to a list serv,

"Any change for the better now will require a new propaganda war with a new consumer movement."

That was Neal Devitt, MD, from New Mexico and he was talking about the fight for natural childbirth. Today. How can we not fight this fight when you look at this family? Women and men are empowered, joyous and complete. We are taking up that battle cry. Join us!

Big and beautiful

An amazing thing happened on September 26, 2007 -

Orion Elijah James Bava Young was born!

All 9 pounds 14 ounces of him and don't let anyone tell you different!

Michelle Bava and Aaron Young went the distance to bring their baby safely into their arms at home.

Congratulations! and Welcome, Orion!