Sensitive Midwifery - Issue 44 - October 2019

Midwife musings Here are some more pearls of wisdom from Certified Sensitive Midwife Course students on the topic of The Silent Midwife: ‘Moms in labour can be as diverse as the sun and the moon. Some may benefit from positive a ffi rmations (verbal or nonverbal); others may need touch or massage; some need quiet; others prefer mindless but soft chatter. Make sure that what you provide is what each one needs by being in tune with the mom, and just sometimes, you might need to check with her – and that’s okay too.’ Michelle van der Westhuizen ‘It’s not only about silence, but about which words one uses when one speaks. Midwives should avoid medical jargon which could be intimidating to a woman, or even disrespectful (for instance, when a woman is labelled “a 34 weeker” instead of addressing her by her name – this often adds to her fear.’ Nondi Gaba ‘A midwife cannot always be quiet. She has the responsibility to advocate for her client, help her fight for her right to a birth experience of her choosing. This is where she must speak out, loud and clear.’ Linette Louw ‘Being deeply aware that birth is not about those who tend it, but about the family who is giving birth, and that they are the ones who will carry their birth memory with them, helps me to give silent support.’ Colleen Pedersen Of course, in the birthing space, words are at times necessary, but put in perspective of the golden power of wise silence, speech is indeed, at best, silver. Dimensions 40 eSensitive Midwifery Magazine Issue 44