#midwiferies

[pseudowho]

"Good girl-- good girl, that's it! Listen to your body."

A bag full of snacks, and books, and massage oils, all woefully surplus to requirements, flung to the side of the room. The dappled reflection of under-lit water on the dark ceiling. A stack of warm towels. A tiny woollen hat. A little trolley of equipment; a calm attendant wearing smiles and blue.

Kento, knelt at the edge of the pool, his shirtsleeves soaked to the shoulder. One thick arm looped around your neck and chest as if he meant to throttle you, when really, he just needed to be held. Or, did you need to be held? The paired clinging comfort to be found in the gloom of fear, was not mutually exclusive, it seemed.

"Amazing work...you're doing so well, sweetheart...just going to listen to the baby's heart..."

Your heart and Kento's pounded in tandem, almost as fast as the little pwssh-pwssh-pwssh-pwssh of your baby's heart, tinny on the Doppler, as the midwife's hand swished through the water. Kento whispered to you, his cheek clasped to your temple, sweatslick hair sticking you together.

"Our baby-- that's our baby-- god I love you, I love you so much, I'm so sorry, I wish I could do this for you--"

You gasped, splashing legs clamouring for resistance against the edge of the pool, writhing back against Kento. Kento's face crumpled, his teeth gritting so hard against your agony, they crunched.

You bellowed, another contraction roaring through you like wildfire, and you gripped Kento's arm. Your scream became a roar as you pushed, absurdly, overwhelmingly dragged from your body by a brutal force of nature. You barely heard Kento's hushed rumble, through the haze of blinding pain.

"...can do it, you can do it, you're so strong-- not long now-- nearly here, they're nearly here, our baby--"

You gasped again, seeing stars for a moment, surely being cleaved in half and you panicked, crying out and digging your nails in. Kento didn't care, surely deserving this, certain your nails didn't sting as much as the stretch you felt stung. You babbled at Kento and the midwife, pleading, bargaining.

"I can't do it anymore-- please don't make me, please please--"

"You're doing it, sweetheart. The biggest part of the head is coming with the next push-- with the next one, just listen to me, and breathe. No pushing. Just little breaths."

You looked up at Kento, your eyes feverish with the love that ripped you asunder. Kento nodded, trusting you, trying to hide the fear and miserable male helplessness and uselessness that threatened to fill him with violence, if he did not cling so desperately to being gentle instead.

Kento felt you tense; another pain peaking as you shook your head, sobbing so briefly, only to be replaced by gritted resolution. Kento saw the fire in your eyes as you began to roar, and thought his heart may break with the weight of his adoration.

Kento grasped you close, your fingers plaited together. He whispered to you as you trembled, fighting against nature as your body pushed for you.

"...that's it-- that's it-- just breathe, little breaths, little breaths-- I know it stings, good girl, good girl-- and the head's out!"

Kento's heart stopped, to see the crest of a little head, its soft waves of hair swishing in the birthing pool. Invigorated by thrill, almost weeping with excitement, he whispered to you, heated and trembling.

"--oh god-- right there, they're right there-- nearly got them, we'll know what we've got--"

"Just one more big push, sweetheart-- one big push with the next contraction, and your baby's here--"

Almost ten months of blooming and worry and scans and building and laughing and crying and aching and fearing, all ended in one enormous push, and a whoosh, and a cry...

...and a cry, wet and sweet and crumpled and on your chest, mother and child still bound together by the string of life.

Kento buckled against the side of the pool. Still he held you, looking down at you, looking down at your baby, blue and angry and baleful at having been shoved into the world from their warm dark kingdom.

Arms replaced the womb, and Kento huffed a couple of great sobs to hear you babble love at your scrumply flailing babe.

"--oh my god-- oh you're so beautiful-- oh, mummy loves you-- daddy loves you--"

Daddy. Kento almost buckled again, nuzzling his tears away into your hair, smothering your sweaty cheeks with kisses and relief. His voice was thick with joy, the fever of pain in your eyes replaced with elation, clasping the boon of a champion within your arms.

"Thank you. I can't...I can't thank you-- I-- love you, love you both so much--"

You gazed up at Kento, basking, your eyes glazed. "Kento...Ken...what have we got? Tell me-- tell me what we've got."

Kento sniffled, looking at the midwife as if for permission. She looked on, an enamoured, privileged bystander, and nodded encouragingly to Kento. Kento leaned over you, gently lifting his baby's legs apart, peering under the cord.

He huffed a single wet laugh, and looked at you, honey-brown eyes rimmed red. Kento's voice was gravelly as he stroked your hair back, to your wondrous grin.

"You were right, lover...as always."

[innefableidiot]

A bit more of duck omens, it kinda felt like a crime to not make this but I would be glad to introduce:

BILDUCK THE SHUHITE

[feminist-furby-freak]

There is something particularly offensive about TIMs calling their surgical fuckhole ("""neov*gina""") a vagina.

Vaginas are amazing! Not only do they stretch to allow for childbirth and generally return back to their pre-pregnancy state (incredible!!!) but they are self-lubricating, they expand and dilate during sexual arousal, they are self-cleaning, they have their own unique ecosystem, they change based off of a woman's menstrual cycle.

There is no organ like it. The vagina is truly "the stuff of life." To compare a wound made out of the rectum or a mutilated inverted penis to the miraculous vagina is so sexist and insulting. Your """v*gina""" is a numb, infected, receptacle for a penis. Mine is one of the most intricate and versatile human organs. Stay jealous. They are totally incomparable. To say that they are similar is to reduce the vagina to fuck hole. It is so much more!!!

Anyway I love vaginas and hate TIMs <3

[diazsdimples]

I've officially had 12 babies and I'm delighted! My end of year goal was 10 and I exceeded it!!! Manifest for one more this shift pls 🕯🕯🕯

[thestarlightforge]

Agatha left Jennifer alone because she was doing “the real work.” Not just as a witch, but as an 11th generation root worker and midwife.

Because if she’d had a Jen instead of being isolated and alone, Nicky might have had a chance.

[psychopomparia]

I thought this said Intellectual Malewifery

[knithacker]

She Crocheted Childbirth Birth Teaching Aids - Set Includes a Uterus, Placenta, Baby and Umbilical Cord: 👉 https://buff.ly/2XcpgKR

[catkin-morgs-kookaburralover]

since we're in the time of hot takes. why do we use the phrase 'pregnant person'. I do understand why but. it's dehumanising. change your method of phrasing for specific people not the group as a whole.

[voparwave69]

@the-cal-zone I have learned that sadely...the third midwife, Tavros, has silently gone away to somewhere unknown.

This is truly a sad day indeed. Without a goodbye, all we can do,

Is reminisce.

Upon first meeting us and learning of our mission, Tavros was quite taken aback; and resistant to the idea of joining the cause. I assumed they were a friend of yours, and you assumed they were a friend of mine. Ultimately, this helped us in the end, helped us to feel emboldened, to take essentially this stranger,

Up to the skies,

Where you watched on as I hoisted them up and held them up to the sun, and we showed them the way of the midwife, what our purpose is, who it is we serve,

And it was a truly joyous day when their heart was almost instantly turned over to midwifery, The Motherhood, as our sect of the Muppet Joker following was called, after witnessing the ultimate miracle of Muppet Clown birth.

They worked tirelessly alongside us in the Great Nest...sorting through the mostly infertile eggs, watching after the few Joker homunculi that hatched and managed to survive, crushing up the many, many eggshells to make swords out of for our leader in the little time we had devoted to anything but the eggs.

Their devotion was unmatched; overnight they transformed from a skeptic to a truly committed midwife.

This was our last photo taken together -- sweet Tavros had fallen to the bottom of the well and could not climb out. They insisted I stay behind with the eggs, but I refused to accept leaving a Mother behind, and so I climbed down with the most recent brood of eggs and we tended to them together. The eggs hatched into monsters and they slunk away to inhabit the well, so that is happening now; and Tavros left the Motherhood immediately, and ran away to somewhere I cannot see.

Goodbye, Tavros, Mother #3, The Devoted Stranger,

There will never be another like you.

[serpentface]

so sorry if youve talked about this before, but what is hidije? (mentioned as something Palo ysed as epilepsy treatment in the past). And id love to hear anything else about traditional medications/drugs used in this universe in general!

It's an alchemical Concoction that has fine particles of silver as a core ingredient (which is widely believed in the region to have broad purifying qualities) along with ground black pearl (specifically thought to ward off curses and evil spirits). This is why prolonged use can result in a form of argyria.

Epilepsy is at least understood as originating within the brain, so attempted treatments mostly target the head and are often the same treatments used for migraines. The two other main components of hidije are a type of willow bark (which can relieve headaches), and the leaf of the hidijenum tree (which has some sedative effects). Other herbal and medicinal components may be added as needed for the individual patient. The ingredients are boiled in wine and consumed in small doses on a regular basis.

In Wardi medical theory, the silver and pearl are spiritually purifying agents that may weaken the evil spirits that cause epilepsy (as well as most forms of disease), while the willow bark and hidijenum leaf treat the physical damage and improper bloodflow to the brain that these spirits cause. This condition is permanent and the spirits cannot be fully expelled, but regular treatment will weaken them and assist the body's natural self-purification processes, and thus should reduce the frequency of seizures.

No component of hidije is an actual anticonvulsant, and there are no direct and efficacious treatments available for epilepsy, just mitigation methods. Hidije consumption may provide a degree of physical comfort and relaxation via its sedative qualities, and (aside from argyria when used for many years) does not have harmful effects in typical doses and frequencies. Overuse can result in physical dependency on the sedative hidijenum, especially in more expensive forms of hidije in which the plant matter is alchemically refined.

---

Traditional medicine in Imperial Wardin is a very broad body of knowledge and folk belief. The underlying theory is related to other cultural applications of body taboo/spiritual pollution/curses, and supplemented by a degree of rigorous medical scholarship in the region (which peaked during the reign of the 3rd Burri Empire).

The core conceit is:

The body and spirit exist in a natural balance. The spirit physically inhabits the blood, and its proper flow through the body ensures normal bodily functions. The body is constantly bombarded by sources of pollution and has some internal defenses (healthy blood is a purifying agent, spitting can expel minor evil spirits, curses, and wandering ghosts invited by invocation via speech, and urination is the body expelling day to day spiritual impurities). However, the body is highly vulnerable and must be protected from uncontrolled metaphysical vulnerability in order to avoid curses and spiritual pollution. When cursed or spiritually polluted, the flow of spirit/blood is interrupted (either systemically or to certain points in the body), which can cause physical ailments (as well as more spiritual concerns). There are several kinds of evil spirit in the world, one of which causes disease. These are called dagia. They feed on the spirit in blood as tiny, invisible parasites, which can result in various ailments and contagious disease, depending on how much of the blood is infected and where pure blood flow is interrupted. Infection is much likelier when metaphysically vulnerable/polluted, but their entrance of the body is physical and occurs through orifices and wounds. Systemic infections by dagia result in contagious disease. Lifelong afflictions such as epilepsy are generally caused by dagia entering the body while in the womb (especially via the mother having been cursed), and permanently sealed into one's very being during the exceptionally metaphysically vulnerable moment of birth. Therefore, the dagia cannot be truly expelled, but may be subdued and restrained through proper treatment. (By this same virtue, a central part of any midwife's job is to dispel any curses on the infant, ensure its immediate purification, and magically shield it during its vulnerable period. Wealthier mothers may hire priestesses devoted specifically to this practice)

Diseases are both spiritual and physical in nature and thus require both spiritual and physical treatment (the lines between the two are not always well defined). In Hidije, the ingestion of silver is purely spiritual- it's not thought to act directly on the body but to purify the spirit. The willow bark and hidijenum are thought to (and do) interact directly on the body, and to help heal physical damage caused by the interruption of pure blood flow.

Treatments are a wide range of herbalism and other traditional medicines (animal parts are used as well and have a litany of ascribed benefits), strict cleanliness regiments (which double as spiritual purification), and dietary regimines. Bloodletting is used to remove bad blood polluted by dagia at certain points in the body in the case of serious infection (this is distinct from the ritual bloodletting used in prayer, which is an offering of one's pure blood/spirit. Dagia infested blood is an impure substance). A treatment similar in form (though not very similar in theory) to acupuncture is used to gently treat the blood in less dire circumstances, or as a preventative measure.

All this combined results in treatments that range widely between those that would be supported by evidence based medicine, those with ambiguous/no effect, and those that actively make things worse. All in all this system is not wildly effective but has its benefits, and is far from the worst medical system for the setting.

Main strengths

The dagia disease model understands the physical entry of disease into the body (while not directly conceptualizing microbes), leading to safer handling of infectious disease (even including barrier methods protecting the nose and mouth when in proximity to illness).

Many of its treatments are based in direct evidence, acquired both via longstanding cultural knowledge and more recent medical experimentation. This system is fluid and methods of treatment are readily reshaped when confronted with new knowledge (though not the core theoretical elements, which are rooted in religious belief and change on a more gradual scale).

As with herbalism in general, many of the herbal elements have direct physical effects on the body and may be beneficial (willow bark really does have mild pain relief properties, etc).

Wound-cleaning is understood as of utmost import (a wound is more vulnerable than orifices to the entrance of evil spirits, as it directly exposes the blood). Strong alcohol and vinegar is used to clean wounds and avoid infection (not the absolute best method, but one of the better available in this setting).

alchemy (as a form of proto-chemistry) exists and is effective enough to isolate and concentrate naturally occurring compounds with beneficial elements (ie salicylic acid from plants can be refined into a smaller and stronger doses than can be acquired in direct consumption of plant matter) (there's also some pretty damn strong drugs available by the same virtue, mostly in the form of opioids and stimulants).

Physical parasites are generally well understood (though infections by microscopic parasites will be assumed to be dagia).

[edwardseymour]

"Given the marathon that Jane’s uterus had just been through, it’s likely that her uterus would have a reduced capacity to contract and effectively expel the after-birth contents of her uterus; lengthy labours tend to shred the membranes, especially if, like Jane, her membranes had ruptured early in her labour. I believe that here is where the best intentions again contributed to disastrous consequences. Wanting to ensure the best possible outcome, Henry bucked confinement tradition by inviting male physicians into Jane’s lying-in chamber. While we might see a physician’s help as a good thing, please keep in mind that Tudor era physicians weren’t trained in obstetrics. Had Jane’s immediate postpartum been similar to the above description, a physician would likely not have been well-versed in how to manage it. Had the midwives noticed retained tissue, they probably would have known to remove the offending product, manually if necessary, causing Jane further discomfort. To a Tudor physician, this would have been appalling, and protocol dictated that the physicians had seniority. Had they forbade an intervention, it would not have occurred."

— Dayna Goodchild, Jane Seymour and the Birth of Edward VI: A Midwife's Opinion

[pseudowho]

Summary of my attempts to look unapproachable and to not engage, on my work training day with a group of healthcare professional strangers:

Called on about 1/3 of the time in a group of 8, kept answering well, was called on more.

Drove a man to get lunch as he didn't know the area, now know about all of his children and how well they're doing at University.

Ended up teaching part of the day (Neonatal Resuscitation) as the trainer did not feel confident. He asked, I did not volunteer.

Ended up leading a discussion on Lucy Letby. People asked, I did not volunteer.

Leaving staff thanked me for teaching. I, too, was there to learn.

Smiled and tactile with everyone because I'm physiologically incapable of being unapproachable apparently.

For fuck's sake.

Ugh.

-- Haitch xxx

[innefableidiot]

If you're ever feeling sad just remember that bildad the shuhite is always proud

HAPPY SHUHITE SUNDAY

[feminist-furby-freak]

Following after seeing your take on pregnancy and childbirth! It's refreshing to see as it does appear radblr can verge on antinatalism occasionally.

Understanding how significant and transformation birth can be, how it underpins the bond between mother and child and is crucial to societal cohesion - is still not synonymous with 'women are breeders and having children is awful and disgusting and women who want to be mothers have been brainwashed.'

I really think if society was more centred towards women and children instead of this male version we currently live in, having and raising children would be a lot easier and actually enjoyable for women.

For 95 percent of human civilization women were assisted with child rearing on a ratio of 15 caregivers to one child. Modern women have 3-4 alternative caregivers if they are lucky and extremely supported today. It's just so obvious to me why it's so difficult, we're all separated trying to do it alone when that's never how child rearing worked.

Random vent! But love to see rad doulas x

I totally agree. And I do understand why many radfems lean antinatalist when in our current patriarchal world pregnancy and motherhood are (very often) tools for oppressing women. The natural birth movement has largely been co-opted by the “women’s true purpose is to have babies” Christian extremist crowd but I’m lucky to live in a progressive city where this isn’t the case. I’m doing my thesis on childbirth and feminism and I’ll see if it there is a way to share it on here when it’s finished without doxxing myself.

[thescrumblingmidwife]

Hi! I know other people have sent similar asks before but I thought I'd send my own just to be sure. I can't fit more than a finger... up there. And even then its a tight fit. That's enough for me but I'm worried about if I go for a pap smear (I think that's what its called, I have a bad memory): something has to go up there right? Will it fit? What happens if it doesn't? Is it going to be a hassle to request a woman? How much do I need to "clean up"? No pressure to respond right away, I get that you're busy. I just wanna know what to expect. Thank you! 😊❤

Hi Anon!

How old are you? You don't need a pap smear until 21, and you don't need a pelvic exam at all before then unless you've got some kind of complaint or you want to get fitted for an IUD. If you are 21+ and have had zero sexual contact, you can discuss a modified schedule with your provider.

PELVIC EXAMS

Reminder - pelvic exam is when the doctor/midwife examines your pelvic area and vagina. This can include the use of a speculum or not, and be done for a number of reasons. Pap smear is a screening test where we take a cell sample (like a cheek swab) from your cervix to check for HPV/precancerous lesions. A pap smear is usually conducted in conjunction with a pelvic exam, but not all pelvic exams include a pap smear, as you don't usually need one every year.

Let's go through your questions one by one. But first I want to start by saying that medical consent is the same as regular consent - you have a right to refuse or defer any procedure or examination, or to stop one at any time. You have the right to fully understand everything you're consenting to, and ask as many questions as you need to feel comfortable. If you make an initial appointment with an OBGYN or midwife, and she doesn't pass the vibe check, you are not obligated to go through with the exam. It can be scary to stand up to someone who seems like they're in a position of power, but you should know that you can.

"Something has to go up there, right?"

At your first GYN appointment, nothing has to go anywhere. You'll meet with a provider, she'll take your full medical history, your menstrual and sexual history, your family history, ask if there are any concerns you want to discuss. At this point, you should talk to her about your issues with insertion and your anxiety about it. She may want to have a look (literally just eyeballs) to ensure there's nothing going on, but she will ask permission before doing any touching, and explain everything she's doing. If she thinks it's worth attempting a pelvic exam, she would start very slowly and only with your full buy-in. It may be necessary to try to figure out if you've got an underlying problem.

When a pelvic exam is warranted (like when you need a pap), the provider may first insert fingers while pressing on your belly (called a bimanual exam) to assess your anatomy, and then use a device called a speculum, which allows us to actually see the inside of the vagina (speculum exam). The speculum will be lubricated, and the provider will coach you through the insertion process. You can also ask about inserting it yourself. Usually, you lie back and put your legs up in stirrups, and are coached to let your knees fall out and give a deep breath out, so as to relax your pelvic floor muscles, while the speculum is inserted down and back (towards your tailbone) in a smooth motion. You'll then feel a bit of pressure as the blades of the speculum are slowly opened so the provider can peek through. It shouldn't hurt, but it can be uncomfortable. I don't know anyone who actively enjoys speculum exams, but most people would say they're not too bad. The whole thing is over in a matter of seconds.

"Will it fit?"

Speculums come in a wide range of sizes, in plastic or metal (if metal, it will be warmed). You can ask for the smallest speculum they have (they make pediatric-sized speculums, so there are definitely small ones - see middle device in the image below, about the size of a finger). The provider will use one that should fit based on your history, anxiety/preferences, and her visual inspection of you - but don't be afraid to speak up.

"What happens if it doesn't?"

If you have an anatomical variation that means even a pediatric speculum could not fit, the provider will likely catch this before you get to the speculum stage. If you've got something going on like vaginismus, this will help her diagnose you. The most likely scenario is that you just need a competent and compassionate provider you trust and some good coaching. But what will NOT happen is the provider trying to jam something into you that doesn't fit!

"Is it going to be a hassle to request a woman?"

Absolutely not. It's very normal to have gender preferences with medical providers, especially for something so sensitive. Just ask for a female provider when you're requesting your appointment. You can also ask to see a midwife -- we're something like 96-99% female-identified, with most of the rest being AFAB trans/GNC/NB. (There ARE a few male midwives, but they're really rare).

"How much do I need to 'clean up'?"

If you've got time and it would make you feel better, take a shower before you come, wash with soap and water like normal. But if you can only get in on your lunch break or something, that's fine. Otherwise, you don't need to do anything! I promise your pubic hair is not so forest-like that we will not be able to examine you. Don't douche, or use any fragrances or lotions unless you would like some patient education about how you should not use "feminine products."

Okay Anon, that's an initial GYN visit in a nutshell!

[wikipediapictures]

Midwife

“Village Midwife Rachel Yusufu (holding the baby), Mnyiramba, and Ayah Brim Masasi, Msukuma, weighing an infant and giving advice to the mother during an infant welfare clinic session at Kishapu Native Authority Dispensary and Clinic in Shinyanga District, Lake Province.” - via Wikimedia Commons