On newsstands and online today, check out the provocative feature article in New York Magazine about home birth midwife Cara Mulhahn. I was a client of Cara's during my first pregnancy and I am quoted (and pictured in labor) in the article. Reported by Andrew Goldman, the lengthy story takes a look at the woman who has risen to the forefront of the newest wave of home birth activism, having been featured in 2007 film, The Business of Being Born, and recently releasing her own juicy memoir, Labor Of Love, about life in the midwifery trenches. The photo above is by my friend Liz Rubincam and is featured in the article along with several more of her amazing shots.
Read the story here and leave a comment on this post letting me know what you think.
Wow, that is an AMAZING photo!
ReplyDeleteI loved that film! And I envy that you got to use her! Thank you so much for sharing the article.
ReplyDeletelove this, thank you!
ReplyDeleteand yes, that's SUCH an amazing photo.
ReplyDeleteI think from a journalistic standpoint, this is a pretty well-done story. It's a lot harder than it looks to write personal profiles of people who are controversial in their field without either giving too much time to their detractors or dismissing the criticism entirely and turning them into one-dimensional saints. It's clear he gave her an opportunity to address the criticisms, which is important or it's just a hit piece. That's my formerly-professional two cents. :) Your quotes and photos are great!
ReplyDeleteThe photo of you is beautiful!! The story...hmmm...overall I liked it although it put her (and other midwives) in a negative light at times, but I understand what Haley says above about that. Is she not attending your next baby's birth?
ReplyDeleteOur Green Nest: Cara is scheduled to be away for the month of August (when I am due with #2). I am using Miriam Schwarzchild (who actually was Cara's midwife at the birth of her son, Liam) this time around. They are close friends and colleagues.
ReplyDeleteI read the entire article, and found it interesting. My birth experience was similar to the writer's wife's experience. And because I have had numerous health problems over the years, I decided to have a hospital birth with an OB/GYN rather than a home birth or a birth with a midwife at a birthing center. I am happy with the way it turned out because my son is beautiful and healthy, and that is really all I cared about.
ReplyDeleteMy sister-in-law, on the other hand, has given birth to her two children with a midwife (in a birthing center), and plans to do the same with her third. I support and admire her so much.
Overall, I think it's a very personal decision, and one that you and your partner have to make based on what is best for you.
Cara seems like a fabulously talented and confident midwife with tons of experience. I'm sure she was such a calming and reassuring presence at the birth of your kiddo.
xoxo,
allegra
Awesome, I love that you are so open about this subject. People have such misconceptions about natural childbirth and homebirths esp.
ReplyDeleteGreat article and love the picture of you. My mom had home births for all four of my siblings. I was the only one born at a hospital and apparently it was NOT a good experience. I luckily, had a easy hospital birth with my baby but you never can be sure for next time. Our bodies are so capable aren't they!
ReplyDeleteWonderful to see Liz's beautiful photos! Would love to hear what you think of the article!
ReplyDeleteLook at you! Fabulous.
ReplyDeleteJust watched that film this afternoon for the second time.
what a great photo! i'm always amazed by daytime labor photos and that one is particularly awesome. i labored from 7p-3a (also at home) so there wasn't much outside time. will you be working with cara again this time? i think we in nyc are so lucky to have a great pool of hb midwives.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the link to that story. I read the whole thing, despite the fact that it was a rather hefty five pages.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, the author did a good job of being objective/neutral in his stance. I really enjoyed reading the variety of experiences/outcomes that were shared.