In November 2021 a vigil, March with Midwives, was held by birthworkers and birth supporters across the country to support midwives against a backdrop of poor staffing levels and the continued political and media storm. A further demonstration of support is to be held on March 13th in London and Manchester. In this article instigator of the group, Maddie McMahon, shares her passionate reasons for the vigils and declares her call for us all to take action.
“The most important thing one woman can do for another is expand her sense of actual possibilities.” Adrienne Rich
Does this sum up what you do, as a birthworker? It does for me. Pregnancy and birth and early parenting is a vulnerable time that can come with heavy baggage, suffering and privation. But it can also come trailing clouds of glory; a sublime moment of transformation, an opportunity for expansion as a woman steps into her power.
In a world where the gap between the haves and have nots is getting ever wider; in a world stalked by the fear of violence and starvation, a midwife stands sentinel at the gates. Midwifery care has the ability to even out social inequalities or recognise women in danger and offer sanctuary. Safe birth – parents held emotionally secure as well as physically unscathed – results in parents feeling strong, capable and deeply bonded with their children.
Maternity is more than a moment. It is a turning point of huge significance in a family’s history. And if this fragile time is not supported with thoughtful love and care, it shows as a blight on society. What an honour and a heavy burden for midwives and doulas holding space as women and birthing people step through this portal into parenthood.
And how shameful that maternity care workers are being treated so badly. It’s not just understaffing that is causing so much suffering. The system is rotten from the top down. On the eve of International Women’s Day, I think it’s useful to remember how much more needs to be done. We must still work to ensure that the emancipation we have striven so hard for finally includes the universal right to safe care in childbirth; with choice, respect and compassion at the heart of everything.
There are fearsome forces to contend with. Despite the majority of people yearning for uneventful, low-tech birth without fear and fuss, high-tech childbirth is now the norm. The corporate fat cats of Capitalism now own our birth experience. Fear stalks the hospital corridors. In our well-meaning yearning for safety, we cause harm with both too much intervention too soon and conversely, too little too late. Those of us who aspire to be truly withwoman/birthing person are caught in a witch hunt that is frighteningly familiar and laughable in its lunacy. We spend our days using our eyes and ears to truly hear the families we serve. We know the politics of childbirth mean nothing to them – they just want to be heard, understood and supported in their decisions. They don’t care about politicians getting tangled up in debates about ‘normal birth’ or caesarean targets. They just want us to listen and treat them like competent adults.
Look back at history. How did we win the rights we now have? Not by complaining behind closed doors. Not by hoping and praying. Not by assuming someone else will do the work or giving up because the job felt too big. We rolled up our sleeves and hitched up our skirts and marched. We shouted. We noticed when our sisters and siblings were silenced and we didn’t put up with it. When we felt exhausted and overwhelmed, we rested, then came back to the fight. We worked out how best to be of service. We raised each other up. We gathered allies, worked hard to avoid schisms, called each other in with love and compassion.
Midwives and students: you have allies. The parents and doulas and breastfeeding counsellors and antenatal teachers are here. We see you. Our shouts of criticism are directed at the toxic system, not at you. Don’t let calls for change, choice and control of our bodies demoralise you. Rather, revel in the joy that comes when families boss their births and join us as we March With Midwives – maybe this is our moment.
Join us at 1pm on the 13th March for the March With Midwives vigils in Parliament Sq, London and St Peter’s Sq, Manchester.
Maddie McMahon is a doula, doula trainer, breastfeeding counsellor and author. She blogs on birth, breastfeeding and parenting issues at thebirthhub.co.uk
1 comment
Well said Maddie
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