March 2013: The Midwife: A Memoir of Birth, Joy, and Hard Times (Worth)

Post date: Mar 25, 2013 1:46:38 AM

Our Mar. 21 meeting at Jane's to discuss Jennifer Worth's memoir about midwives and birthing provided a great backdrop for the group to meet Jennie's new baby Angelou, herself the product of a home birth, as was her older brother George.

We found the book's stories interesting both medically and sociologically, and enjoyed Worth's straightforward narrative style. In truth we did not spend a huge amount of time on the book, although we did mention a few favorite moments and characters. Our conversation was enriched by stories from Mary Ann and Janet, both of whom lived in England in periods not far removed from the era of the book. It was also interesting to get perspectives from various mothers, and to learn from Jennie about the current state of midwifery (at least as she experienced it).