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Women Unafraid of Blood analysis

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Women Unafraid of Blood: Kootenay Community Midwives by Megan J. Davies is an

article that provides an in-depth analysis of the role of midwives in Kootenay, British Columbia,

Canada, during 1970-90. Davies examines the midwives' contribution to the local healthcare

system and the impact of their work on the community. The article highlights the midwives'

unique approach to the practice of midwifery, the essential services they provided for women

and families in the area, and the challenges they faced in delivering these services in the face of

opposition from the medical profession and government.

Davies begins her analysis by providing a brief historical overview of midwifery in

Canada. She notes that, prior to the 1970s, midwifery was largely unregulated and practiced in an

informal setting. In the 1970s, the profession saw a revival with the establishment of midwifery

programs in several Canadian provinces. Davies then turns her attention to Kootenay, noting that

the area was particularly well-suited to midwifery practice. She points to the region's strong rural

culture, proximity to the United States, and relative distance from the medical profession as

factors that made it an ideal location for midwifery.

Davies then examines the midwives who practiced in Kootenay during the 1970-90

period, such as Palumbo, Ray, Bush, and Bell, with mentorship from Dr. Carolyn deMarco and

Pat Armstrong. She notes that the midwives who practiced in the area were largely female and

came from a variety of backgrounds. She also highlights the unique approach these midwives

took to midwifery practice, emphasizing the importance of women's autonomy and agency, as

well as the importance of providing family-centered care. Davies also emphasizes that the

midwives in Kootenay provided essential services to the community, including prenatal care and

childbirth services to women who lacked access to traditional medical care. Finally, Davies

examines the challenges that the midwives in Kootenay faced during the 1970-90 period. She
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notes that the midwives faced opposition from the medical profession and the government, who

were often unwilling to recognize the midwives' qualifications and the services they provided.

She also points to the difficulty of providing midwifery services in the face of limited resources

and inadequate funding.

In conclusion, Women Unafraid of Blood: Kootenay Community Midwives provides an

in-depth analysis of the role of midwives in Kootenay, British Columbia, during the 1970-90

period. The article highlights the unique approach these midwives took to the practice of

midwifery, the essential services they provided for women and families in the area, and the

challenges they faced in providing these services in the face of opposition from the medical

profession and the government. The article provides an important insight into the history of

midwifery in Canada, and the impact midwives had on the local community.