1999 Midwifery Skills Workshop
MSTM'S 3nd Annual
Midwifery Skills Workshop
MSTM offers annual weekend workshops held in beautiful, rural northeast Michigan. These workshops are open to the public. MSTM students and others join together to learn fundamental midwifery skills, basic herbology, labor management techniques and more. The workshop groups are small to allow for maximum interaction and input. Lodging and meals are provided free for all registrants! Workshop Scholarships are available, limited enrollment, conference exam, certificate issued..
"Preserving the Art of Traditionalism in Midwifery Practice"
HIGHLIGHTS
reprinted from The "CALLING" - Autumn 1999
by Casey Makela, MSTM Director
Some of the 1999 participants
Michigan School of Traditional Midwifery hosted their annual midwifery skills weekend workshop this year in September at an Educational Center in Huron National Forest in north eastern, Michigan. This years program was rated by alumni students and visitors as the best one yet!
Participants enjoyed absolutely beautiful Autumn weather which enhanced the wonder of being so close to nature in Huron National Forest. The rustic charm of the facility was definitely heightened by the knowledge that we were sharing the area with a resident mother black bear and her 3 cubs! Being that close to nature meant cautiously watching out during woodland herb walks and being extra careful to secure bunk house doors at night to avoid close encounters with an Ursa Major or Ursa Minor type! (A cub was indeed sighted by one of the participants early on Saturday morning just after dawn outside the dining lodge. The aroma of fresh coffee and luscious breakfast delights was surely an irresistible lure.).
We enjoyed a vast variety of wildlife during our stay. Though the loons had left the area by then and the baby eagle had grown big enough to fly from its nest, we witnessed other fascinating wildlife sightings included flocks of wild turkeys, wood ducks at the lake, turtle nests, Canadian geese, deer and things that went “bump” in the night!
The midwifery skills weekend program featured a packed schedule of classes taught by both traditional Midwives and Doctors who shared their expertise on issues relating to well-woman care and natural childbirth and birthing complications. Skills assessments and reviews were done and featured multi-level practical applications and evaluations.
We met and registered on Friday afternoon and soon there-after embarked on an enchanting forest walk and herb-find adventure. Afterward, prenatal exam skills & homebred assessment were studied for the remainder of the afternoon.
Following dinner, the Michigan Guild of Traditional Midwives held their first meeting and discussed the needs and goals of the guild.
Early breakfast on Saturday morning was followed by 2 programs taught by Dr. Jacqueline Fitzgerald; Universal Precautions and Ovulation Method of birth control. Dr. Fitzgerald delivered excellent presentations that were not only very informative, but she also took a personal interest in the group that led to lively discussions and interchanges of perspectives and ideals.
The Fetal Assessment and Exam Skills session, taught by Midwife Casey Makela, followed after lunch.
The group was able to do a substantial amount of live hands on assessment thanks to our gravid guest, Alumina, who kindly volunteered as a model. Life like obstetric learning models rounded out the opportunity for learning and developing hands-on skills.
The issue of teen-pregnancy was featured again this year highlighting an even broader range of complications and analysis than ever before. Teen correspondent, Marion Makela once again delivered sobering and compelling information that left on-looking students and instructors deeply moved.
Her candid presentation delivered startling information about the void of comprehensive support for teenagers. Marion also highlighted staggering myths and inaccuracies sometimes shared among teens as “truths”. Her scenarios were sometimes difficult to listen to and participate in. Ultimately she left us all deeply touched and acutely aware of the need for better and more accessible resources for teens. Input was also received from teen panel participant, Chris tel Kidney who rounded out the further amplified the soaring problems that face teens.
Marion preparing for teen pregnancy senarios
After dinner on Saturday evening we gathered around the warm and inviting glow of the fire pit and shared the Woman’s-Way Gift Exchange. Each participant brought a unique gift to the gift blanket and we enjoyed an exchange that created a sentimental event memoir enjoyed by all. This is a permanent feature of MSTM’s workshops instituted to encourage hospitality and camaraderie among “sisters”.
Dr. Kirk McAnsh taught the Sunday morning session, Latent Spinal Cord & Brain Stem Injury in Newborns. His information emphasized the importance of trauma free births.
Dr. McAnsh - Latent Spinal Cord & Brain Stem Injury
A very informative and inspirational Postpartum Care class followed. The presentation was very thorough and passionate about the absolute importance of excellent postpartum care planning and conscientious management and follow through as a mandatory part of excellent midwifery care.
Postpartum Class
Students received generous handouts and the group was left with a great deal of comprehensive and useable Postpartum Care information that will make valuable resources for both midwifery and Doula care.
Our closing session featured Midwife Karen Kamyszek who taught Blood Loss Assessment & Placenta Examination. Karen and several students prepared for the program the night before by making artificial blood clots and blood. These life-like props created teaching aids that looked nearly authentic and allowed students the opportunity to learn in a safe environment.
Midwife Karen Kamyszek - Blood Loss Assessment & Placenta Examination Class
Authentic placentas allowed for real life evaluation and comparisons. Universal precautions were carefully observed and respected. The presentation was excellent and very informative.
A conference exam was issued for students and participants after which certificates of workshop participation were issued to everyone.
The intense weekend of classes was rounded out by videos presenting birthing complications that were viewed and discussed during free-time. Over-all, there was a huge assortment of midwifery skills taught and reviewed so that everyone had much to take home and reference. Several students even elected to learn how to spin during their precious few moments of free time!
Participant learning to spin in an extra after class leasurly workshop !
As we packed up to go home, we had many new friendships to take with us and treasure in our hearts. Midwifery bonds women together in a special way universalizes all of us and allows us to join hands in spirit across the miles.
A special thanks is due to the volunteer “kitchen crew” who kept us well fed, with lovely meals, snacks and refreshments throughout each day of the workshop. Bill & John found weekend worth of “woman’s way” to be a bit over sensitizing at times but we appreciated (and were occasionally amused by) their staying power and thoughtful, nourishing preparations!
In closing, thanks to all who gave so freely of their energies to make this weekend such a success. It was certainly the combined efforts of all that made the whole event a memorable and enjoyable one.
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