Beyond the Book:
Books about Midwives and Midwifery

Blessing becomes her grandmother's apprentice midwife in Tiny Sunbirds Far Away, becoming part of a long and proud historical tradition in her family, and in the human family.

The word "midwife," is from Old English midwif, meaning "with woman", which frames the idea of midwifery - to be with a woman during the birthing process - along side her, rather than doing something to her, or delivering her baby for her. Women have traditionally been midwives in virtually all human cultures, even those which frown on women being independent or having power of their own. It is only in the last few centuries, with the medicalization of childbirth, that men have given them any competition.

Here is a collection of novels and memoirs featuring midwives and midwifery.

The Red Tent by Anita Diamant (1997). The retelling of the biblical story of Jacob, but this time from the perspective of the women in the story - starring Dinah, her mother Leah, and her three aunt-mothers, one of whom is a midwife and trains Dinah to be one as well.

Monique and the Mango Rains by Kris Holloway (2006).  The memoir of a Peace Corps volunteer who spent two years shadowing a midwife in Mali, West Africa.

Baby Catcher: Chronicles of a Modern Midwife by Peggy Vincent (2003). The memoir of a modern midwife in California who has delivered more than 2000 babies in her 40 years in the field.

This article is from the June 15, 2011 issue of BookBrowse Recommends. Click here to go to this issue.