HW 40 - Insights from Book - Part 3

The Baby Catcher by Peggy Vincent, is a great to read if anyone wants to understand more about midwifery and birth. From beginning to end to end the book explains different scenarios of birth stories, which answers every birthing question one may have. Vincent once being a midwife, is what I think makes this story really detailed, because it's different when an author actually had the experience of what they're story is about, and when an author writes about something they've heard. Ms. Vincent working at a nursery hospital was also a bit unique , because most midwifes have to get certified and work independently, but i think because she worked at a hospital she has a broader view than most midwifes.

What i like about this book is when she quotes the things mother think, say or do when they're in labor, because normally it's not always as dramatic as television portrays it. "I felt that curling-over at the top as my uterus began to bear down like giant tooth paste tube being emptied" - Pg. 136. One of the many odd things I've heard to describe labor, but at the same time it's unique. During this birthing unit we watched a film called the business of being born, and it was very similar to the baby catcher, but didn't show many details, when it came to what the father or men thought during the whole process. From what I've seen the father always wants to help and do something, and tries to be supportive, but always seem a bit stunned. "The sudden spurt of blood shocked Joe" -Pg. 145. What stuns me sometimes is when the mother is in labor and deals with it really well, while everyone else is panicking asking if she's "ok" or if she "needs anything" and the mothers answer is "I'm not afraid, i'm fine, this is just really really interesting" - Ph. 216 and than the mother pushes the baby out and all done.

By the end of the book, Peggy Vincent doesn't try to change peoples mind about where to have their children or how to have them, but she helps lengthen readers knowledge about the myths about what midwives do, and what the experiences may be. What makes this book accurate, is because their are enough stories and scenarios, to show readers everyone that every experience is different.