Speaker: Elisabeth (Lizi) Jones
Facilitator: Caitlin Goodwin
Indigenous peoples and others living in Alaska and the circumpolar north are geographically remote and face climate conditions that can be extreme. They live in close connection to their environment and have developed characteristics of hardiness and resilience in the face of global pressures such as climate change and colonialism. Long-standing cultural traditions influence birth practices and expectations and are valuable to maintaining a shared sense of connection and caring for one another in these remote communities. Temporary relocation for childbirth has deleterious social effects and there is considerable support for traditional communal birthing in combination with modern techniques and technology. This presentation will describe a selection of Alaska Native and circumpolar childbirth traditions and outcomes, as well as the importance of birth in cultural continuity. Consideration will be given to the preservation of traditions and reflection on one’s own cultural humility and sensitivity, the value of incorporating ancient ways of knowing into modern medical practice, and the importance of promoting sovereignty and reclamation of birth by indigenous midwives worldwide. This presentation draws from a student assignment called “Celebrating Diversity in Childbirth” and is the 8th Annual Georgetown University Midwifery Student Café at the VIDM.
Recording: https://youtu.be/F6hXGnr4pP4
Title: Arte de la Partería Indígena: Resistencias, desafíos y continuidades
Speaker: Tania Pariona Tarqui
Facilitator: Paloma Terra
Los objetivos de este mapeo son: identificar organizaciones de parteras indígenas, además de delinear la situación en la que se encuentran y las experiencias que se han generado cada país, acorde a su contexto histórico y aspectos legales. Finalmente, indicar las buenas prácticas, recomendaciones y retos señalados por las organizaciones de parteras de cada país.
Uno de los elementos relevantes del mapeo, es las diferencias que existen entre el ejercicio de la partería y la relación con el Estado, esto de acuerdo al nivel organizativo alcanzado por los grupos de parteras y los avances legales en el reconocimiento de la misma. Por ejemplo, algunas parteras en sus países presentan un estado de sobrevivencia por el poco o nulo reconocimiento de los pueblos originarios y la partería indígena, en otros casos por su nivel de organización hay parteras indígenas que en sus países exigen autonomía al Estado.
Sin embargo, en todos los países se dan prácticas de control, desprestigio y criminalización. Esto realza la importancia de fortalecer las organizaciones de parteras y de los pueblos originarios para la construcción de propuestas desde los sistemas de salud indígenas y la articulación horizontal con los Estados.
Como parte de sus recomendaciones se destaca la necesidad de fortalecer el tejido organizativo entre las parteras tanto a nivel nacional como en la región, el politizar la lucha por el respeto a las parteras y todas las mujeres como sujetos de derechos para que puedan tomar decisiones informadas sobre su cuerpo, su maternidad y la atención del parto desde su propia tradición y la necesidad del cuidado de las abuelas parteras que viven en situaciones vulnerables como garante de la continuidad generacional para el cuidado de las mujeres y comunidades de los pueblos indígenas.
Recording: https://youtu.be/zuIlj3va4E4
Speaker: Susana Ku
Facilitator: Paola Wilkin
We are a growing transnational collective consisting of members from the Global South and North, including midwives, doulas, scholars, educators, and mothers calling for an expansion of midwifery research to include what we coin “Critical Midwifery Studies”. We envision a Critical Midwifery Studies that uses three principles: 1.engagement and collaboration with rapidly developing fields within critical theory, 2.midwifery-led, 3. self-critical (developing ways to implement critical theory into practice). Systemic injustice is a threat to sexual, reproductive, maternal, and newborn health, hence the application of the art and science of midwifery. The effects of this injustice are reflected in the high maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality rates in formerly colonized countries of the Global South, in marginalized communities of the Global North, and in underprivileged classes around the world. We aim for an open discussion about midwifery research, education, practice, policy, and regulations, that are largely White and Western-centric, using positivistic and universalist principles of biomedical research. Although we recognize the global struggle for legitimacy that midwives face as they work to make their models of care more accessible, this coincides with pressure to engage with dominant and dominating paradigms, using language and approaches that are valued by regimes of power.
Our presentation will include a summary of our experience launching the first bilingual summer school for Critical Midwifery Studies held on July 2022, with delegates around the world. We will explain how our collective planned this activity including principles of equity and accessibility https://tinyurl.com/yc55dbw6.
Recording: https://youtu.be/TKrSfdmC9nM
Speaker: Paloma Terra and Maria do Perpétuo Socorro da Silva Rodrigues
Facilitator: Susana Ku
This presentation will be based on the research project Midwives of the Brazilian Amazon by Paloma Terra funded by Huron University of Canada. The project uses Critical and Decolonial research methodology and did interviews with Traditional Midwives of the Brazilian upper Amazon Region. This discussion will be a joint presentation in Portuguese with Maria do Socorro who is the president of the Midwifery Association Algodão Roxo a Traditional Midwives Association of the State of Amazonas. We will discuss the place of Traditional Midwifery in the modern world and why it is important to work to preserve and strengthen it. Socorro will present in Portuguese the history of the formation of the Association and their current work and struggles. Paloma will share some of the main take aways from the research project in both English and Portuguese.
Recording: https://youtu.be/RQco_ouNrCU
Speakers: Heather Bradford and Jeremy Neal
Facilitator: Catherine Salam
Healthcare providers’ weight bias has been associated with negative patient interactions and poor quality of care. This dissertation is the first to measure weight bias among midwives and determine if the weight bias scores differ from other health professionals and the U.S. public. A research study was conducted which involved electronically surveying AMCB-certified midwives during the 2022 ACNM Annual Meeting and via email. Preliminary findings reveal that AMCB-certified midwives have a preference for people with underweight or normal body weights. The findings may inform future studies to determine if there is an association between perinatal providers’ weight bias and clinical decision-making, quality of care, and perinatal outcomes such as cesarean birth rates among birthing persons with higher body weights.
Recording: https://youtu.be/L-TScIK_7A0
Speaker: Brenda Araujo Salas
Facilitator: Paloma Terra
A partir de las ilustraciones elaboradas por Yaquemilsa Matiashi Vicente, una joven madre del pueblo Matsigenka, perteneciente a la amazonía peruana, describiremos las prácticas tradicionales en salud materna que aún se mantienen vigentes en las comunidades más alejadas de la vida moderna. Se describirán las concepciones y prácticas culturales durante la primera menstruación, los cuidados en el embarazo, la atención del parto por parte de la familia y parteras, y los cuidados en el posparto.
Conocer gráficamente las prácticas en salud materna a través de la mirada de una mujer del mismo pueblo, nos permite visualizar detalles significativos que se dan en la los cuidados de las mujeres gestantes y los recién nacidos. La importancia de este material es educativa y en favor de una mejora en la atención del parto para fundar la comprensión y el respeto a las costumbres y participación de las parteras y especialistas tradicionales de salud, ya que, actualmente, gran parte de las comunidades amazónicas tienen acceso a establecimientos de salud, pero estos ofrecen servicios sin pertinencia cultural. Por otro lado, el material también permite el reconocimiento de la importancia de los conocimientos de las mujeres Matsigenka en los niños, niñas y adolescentes.
English:
From the illustrations elaborated by Yaquemilsa Matiashi Vicente, a young mother of the Matsigenka people, belonging to the Peruvian Amazon, we will describe the traditional practices in maternal health that are still in force in the communities farthest away from modern life. We will describe the cultural conceptions and practices during the first menstruation, pregnancy care, childbirth care by the family and midwives, and postpartum care.
The graphic presentation of maternal health practices through the eyes of a woman from the same village allows us to visualize significant details in the care of pregnant women and newborns. The importance of this material is educational and in favor of an improvement in childbirth care, in order to establish understanding and respect for the customs and participation of midwives and traditional health specialists, since, at present, most Amazonian communities have access to health facilities, but these offer services without cultural relevance. On the other hand, the material also allows the recognition of the importance of Matsigenka women’s knowledge in children and adolescents.
Recording: https://youtu.be/voZyHiTevvw
VIDM is not over yet! Following the closing Keynote speaker, stay right where you are for the closing events.
Facilitator: Lorraine Mockford
VIDM founder Sarah Stewart is back with a taste of her comedy routine: Donuts, Fireman Sam, and living with a hoarder!
Sarah Stewart is a midwife, nurse and stand up comedian. Sarah has performed comedy around Australia and is a member of the very successful comedy team, The Women’s Room, who have just had 2 sold out seasons at the Canberra Comedy Festival. Sarah has lots to say about being a wife, mother, getting old and of course….being a midwife. Sarah will be performing in her pyjamas, in bed, and feeling like a right wally because virtual comedy is weird. The good news for Sarah is if you heckle her, she can just mute you!
Then join the VIDM Organizing Committee, volunteers, and delegates as we say thank-you for another year by sharing our closing video with you.
Recording FINAL closing slideshow selfie photos – https://youtu.be/5r7DqvZ5or4
Speaker: Betsy Arnold-Leahy
Facilitator: Ally Anderson
Abstract:
Occiput Posterior position is a variation of the normal birthing process, a complication of birth requiring patience, intervention, or something in between. Occiput Posterior Position of the fetus is often referred to as “the most common” fetal malposition or as a variation of normal. As many as 30% of fetuses spend some time in this position during labor only 5-12% will remain so for the actual birth. Persistent Occiput Posterior Position may account for up to 18% of cesarean births as well as increased operative births, along with maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Anecdotally, many birthing people are increasingly worried if their fetuses are posterior even at early gestations because of the knowledge available in the media.
Midwives and accoucheurs have encountered this fetal position as documented into the Middle Ages (Louise Bouchard, Jane Sharp). Current data and research and strategies the management of Occiput Posterior position present the intersection of the ART and SCIENCE of midwifery. However most current data is based in Eurocentric literature. Only recently has there been literature from Spain, China, Japan, and Iran to name a few midwives from. Even these studies often reference the primarily English language literature aforementioned in their citations. Very rarely is there an article from a non-Eurocentric area where midwives and traditional birth attendants are prevalent.
This presentation will focus on other perspectives on midwifery management of Occiput Posterior the non-primarily English-speaking voices that are emerging in literature focusing on this topic. The purpose is to highlight what strategies and options are available to those midwives providing care for birthing people particularly in those areas prone to disruptions in care due to conflict and disaster. What can we learn and how can we further support one another?
Check the time in your location: https://bit.ly/VIDM24-session-14
Access: zoom link here: https://frontier.zoom.us/j/81953226873?pwd=tnaEumJ5LXfI521IKce2l9KyWkxieT.1
Recording: https://youtu.be/3PNmcSoyfHE
