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Midwifery Matters Autumn 1981 Issue 11

Contents

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FOLLOW US @radicalmidwives

After Birth by Elisa Albert @elisatamar @penguinuk

After Birth by Elisa Albert @elisatamar @penguinukbooks

"Sometimes I’m with the baby and I think: you’re my heart and my soul, and I would die for you. Other times I think: tiny moron, leave me the fuck alone."

A year has passed since Ari gave birth and still she can’t locate herself in her altered universe. Sleep-deprived, lonely and unprepared, she struggles through the strange, disjointed rhythms of her days and nights. Her own mother long dead and her girlhood friendships faded, she is a woman in need. When Mina – older, alone, pregnant – moves to town, Ari sees hope of a comrade-in-arms. Perhaps the hostile terrain could be more easily navigable together.

With purifying anger and outrageous humour, Elisa Albert unleashes on a culture that turns its new mothers into exiles, and expects them to act like natives. And as she defines the raw experience of motherhood, Albert offers a hilarious and devastatingly honest examination of how we become the women we are.

Are you interested and an ARM member?

Email Lynn and put ‘ARM Book Club’ in the subject line to join us. We also have a Discord group which is a place to discuss anything book related. Let her know in your email if you would like to join.

Because Midwifery Matters.

Join link in bio:
www.midwifery.org.uk/event/arm-book-club

New research out, with midwives being listened to

New research out, with midwives being listened to instead of spoken about.

A new qualitative study shows that although Ockenden has nudged some improvements into motion (staffing, training, oversight), the deeper cracks in UK maternity care are still exactly there.

Midwives describe that familiar sinking feeling that “we’ve been here before”. Another inquiry, another list of recommendations, another wave of blame. And beneath it all, a quiet fear: that some of these “solutions” lean even harder into the obstetric, intervention-first model that already overshadows midwifery-led care.

At ARM, we’re holding space for the frustration and the hope. We stand with every midwife who wants real systemic change, the kind rooted in relationship, compassion, continuity, community. Human-scaled maternity care. Care that sees the whole woman, not just as an outcome.

Reference:
Foley, C., McCourt, C., & Yuill, C. (2025). An exploration of midwives’ perceptions of the Ockenden review: a qualitative study. Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare, 46, Article 101166. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.srhc.2025.101166

#BirthMatters #PhysiologicalBirth #Midwifery #Ockenden #MaternityCare

ARM CHRISTMAS SALE! The Association of Radical Mi

ARM CHRISTMAS SALE!

The Association of Radical Midwives is kicking off December with something special…

For the first two weeks of December, enjoy a 10% DISCOUNT on ALL products in our online shop!

Whether you’re treating yourself, stocking up for practice, or finding the perfect gift for the midwife or birth worker in your life, now is the time.

From inspiring reads to beautiful merch that champions radical midwifery, everything is reduced… but only for a limited time.

Shop the sale, support the movement, and celebrate the season with ARM!
Don’t miss it because once it’s gone, it’s gone.

Sale runs 1–14 December
Automatically applied at checkout

Because Midwifery Matters.

www.midwifery.org.uk/our-shop/

We're proud to see this spreading wide and far, wi

We're proud to see this spreading wide and far, wise and compassionate words from our ARM member student midwife @wombandbloomlondon

--
@aview.fromabridge "I've just come from a 12 and a half hour night shift - I'm a student Midwife" - Victoria's View From A Bridge @wombandbloomlondon
.
Filmed + interviewed @joe___bloom
Edit @ea_kryg
Original music @a_fierce_love
Production assistant lilah.bloom
.
#birth #maternity #midwife #life #work

Thank you @em_themidwife, we're so happy to have m

Thank you @em_themidwife, we're so happy to have met you in St Alban's.

---
Yesterday, I joined my first @radicalmidwives meeting. It was full of important, intense and nourishing conversations, as well as the best pumpkin loaf and plenty of tea!

We are witnessing a complete polarisation of the birthing space, which can feel so disheartening when you just want to support women and birthing people in the way they want to be supported. Yesterday was an antidote to the hopelessness.

It is incredibly valuable to listen to the wisdom of those who have been treading this path much longer than you, to hear stories of hope, and find the pockets of joy - it’s all there if only you take the time to look ✨

#midwife #birth #pregnancy #midwifery #maternity #maternitycare #radicalmidwives #radicalmidwifery #ittakesavillage #maternal #motherhood #birthstories #midwives #birthworker #birthworkers #maternityresearch #nhs #birthingpeople #womensupportingwomen

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