Ina May Gaskin: Summary And Analysis

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Pregnancy and birth is a very personal thing. In 2016, deciding on midwifery care for a transgender, intersex or gay expectant parent should be an easy choice. These parents want the same conveniences and care as every other family. Most LGBT parents want a limited number of care providers due to their unique situation. There would be no need to explain the trans identity during a challenging time such as labor. How exciting that in 2014 The Midwives Alliance of North America (MANA) changed their language to be more gender friendly. This new language gives the impression that the midwife community is moving forward and recognizing that some transgender, gay and/or intersex individuals may need midwifery care. Unfortunately, in 2015 Ina …show more content…

She is the author of Spiritual Midwifery, and for twenty-two years she has published Birth Gazette, a quarterly newsletter covering health issues, childbirth and midwifery. Ina May has published three books: Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth in 2003, Ina May’s Guide to Breastfeeding in 2009, and Birth Matters: A Midwife’s Manifesta in 2011 (Gaskin, 2016). She had recently meet with some representatives from LGBT where she supported midwifery for everyone, so it was a great surprise when she publicly denounced this inclusion of LGBT mothers by signing an open letter to MANA (Midwives Alliance of North …show more content…

MANA’s goal of responding to the Open Letter is to debunk some of the myths and misinformation in the “Open Letter to MANA” by Woman-Centered Midwifery. They also want to remind people in the midwifery, birth work and reproductive justice community that trying to secure safe spaces for women does not