Tag Archives: Babies

Radical Midwifery on the Road

According to the Association of Radical Midwives (ARM)  “In the mid 70s, the majority of pregnant women in UK had labour induced by artificial rupture of membranes (ARM) around the date they were “due”. These initials were used when the group needed a name, using the dictionary definition of “radical”, (roots, origins, basics, etc.) which […]

Mary Cronk’s Assertiveness Phrases

Following on from my “Am I Allowed post” I phoned my dear friend and former colleague Mary Cronk. As well as a good chat with each other, I obtained her permission to post her assertiveness phrases. She re-quoted the phrases that I know by heart, and have recommended to many women. I had the pleasure of working with Mary […]

The Third International Breech Birth Conference. Washington DC November 2012

I was lucky enough to be invited to lead a workshop at this years International Breech birth conference. My qualifications are that I have been lucky to work with Breech birth expert Mary Cronk MBE as an Independent midwife. We attended several breech births together and thus I started to learn breech birth skills. Our […]

Association of Radical Midwives monthly discussion group.

This is a local group for the support of peaceful pregnancy, birth and parenting. Hosted by Joy Horner, radical midwife, mum, lecturer and some day writer. Inspired by the Freedom For Birth film I am determined to impart information about human rights in childbirth, facilitate discussions, and to support women on their journeys to parenthood. You don’t have […]

Taunton Birth Forum 4th September 2012

I was delighted to have made it to The Taunton Birth Forum this month as I have had such a busy Summer I have missed a few. It is always a pleasure to See Eleanor Copp and her husband Simon and learn from the speakers she invites along. This month was a real treat with […]

Freedom For Birth Film Premier

FREEDOM FOR BIRTH – GLOBAL FILM LAUNCH GIVES BIRTH TO THE  MOTHER’S REVOLUTION Glastonbury film premier on Thursday 20th September 2012. was a resounding success! we filled 40 seats and had people sitting on the floor! £100 each was raised for The red tent project and The White ribbon Alliance, A lively discussion followed lead by our panel […]

MAMA Conference 26th and 27th April 2012

Birth Joy (C) 2011 I have just returned from the fabulous MAMA Conference in Troon, Scotland, organised by the brilliant Cassie MacNamara. Mary Cronk MBE had been booked as a speaker but had recently suffered a bereavement, and asked me to talk on her behalf about breech birth. These are big shoes to fill! I […]

The Joy of birth

Has anyone ever told you that birth can be pleasurable or even pain free? It may be a very strange concept to women bombarded with stories of painful or traumatic birth. As an Independent midwife I rarely see women needing pharmacological pain relief, the main reasons being that they feel safe, loved and respected. They know and trust their midwife and know […]

“Am I allowed?”

A woman this week asked me one of the things that make me want to get on my soapbox about assertiveness and women’s rights.  What she said was “are you allowed to give birth to a breech baby?” My response, as ever, to this type of question is “it you who allows or disallows your care […]