Our Bodies, Our Births

In the 1960s and 70s, women began to demand greater rights in childbirth. Some hospitals increased amenities in labor and delivery rooms, admitting husbands, and introducing nurse-midwife services. A movement to reinvent traditional midwifery started with Ina May Gaskin, the founder of The Farm midwifery center in Tennessee. Despite proven effectiveness, these new midwives faced opposition from medical leadership as well as government bodies.

Simkins, G. (2011). Into These Hands: Wisdom from Midwives. Traverse City, MI: Spirituality & Health Books. From University of Michigan Libraries.