The Herstory of Birth with Wendy Jackson

Wendy Jackson, mother and retired midwife with 30 years' experience in the UK and Australian maternity care systems, has a lot to say about the massive cultural, social and political issues that surround the world of birth. 
Main topics covered:

• the importance of honouring and protecting the postnatal period/4th trimester, also known as matrescence,
• women need to know the realities of the maternity system, as well as their incredible biology and how to protect its optimal functioining in the system,
• defensive, interventionist (and often unquestioned) practices that have evolved over the millenia, especially over the last 100 years.
• a resource she has developed for women navigating the perinatal period - her book "Mother Becoming".

Other references mentioned:

• Prof. Archie Cochrane "the father of evidence based medicine" who jokingly awarded obstetrics with the "wooden spoon".
• Jenny Allenson "The Golden Month"
• Transforming Maternity Care Initiative
• Dr Andrew Bissets, featured in "Birth Time"
• Human Rights in Childbirth
• Dr Carol de Costa "The Women's Doc" first professor of obs/gyn in Australia
• Robbie Davis Floyd

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