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Push, baby, push!

>> Nothing paganish about giving birth
the old-fashioned way, midwife says

by CHRIS BARRY

Name: Morag Campbell
Occupation: Midwife
Age: 56
Salary: “Not quite as much as a top paid nurse.”
Bio: For the past eight years this “unashamed, unembarrassed Christian” and Kirkland resident has been helping women pop out babies through the birthing centre at CLSC Lac St-Louis. A Scottish national, she received her midwife training in the U.K. and says she was “terribly frustrated that prior to the legalization of midwifery in Quebec, women had to hand themselves over to the medical profession to direct their pregnancies. Midwifery is a policy of client-led care. We have a great respect for women and their ability to make their own choices.”

Is there a big demand for midwives in Quebec? Yes. There are not nearly enough midwives to meet the demand. “We have to refuse women every month.”

One popular misconception about midwives: “That we just stand around holding hands muttering incantations.”

Why a person might choose a midwife over an obstetrician: For the personalized care. “I see my clients throughout their pregnancy, each visit lasts at least 45 minutes, and I do all the clinical things that a doctor would do—checking blood pressure, the baby’s heartbeat or whatever. But we sit and chat as equals. There are some very good obstetricians out there but they are very busy and don’t have the time to sit and chat with their clients.”

The longest labour she’s ever sat through: Three days. “Patience is an important factor in being a midwife.”

Does she feel the stereotype of the midwife as hairy-breasted hippie lesbian is at all accurate? Certainly not. “But there is a strong feminist component to many midwives because we put the power in the hands of women. Midwifery in North America really came out of the women’s movement.”

Does she get offered many cigars? No.

Has she ever delivered a severely retarded or profoundly unattractive baby and had the parents inquire if she wouldn’t mind flushing it down the toilet for them? Not yet.

Is it legal for her to guide a woman through a home birth? No, but she’s hoping the laws will be amended this fall.

Most satisfying part of the gig: “Shortly after the birth, seeing that triangle of the mother, the father and the baby completely absorbed in each other and knowing I’m only an outside person playing a small part in helping them to achieve their goal. I’m not looking for personal glory.”

Most difficult: Having to transfer a woman with complications to the hospital and witnessing how disappointing it can be for them.

Childhood ambition: To become “a mummy.” She has two children.

Current ambition: To learn how to use a computer.

Last book read: The Bonesetter’s Daughter, by Amy Tan.

Musical preferences: Beethoven, Bach, the Beatles.

Favourite alcoholic beverage: Soda water and white wine.

A recent film she dug: The Shipping News.

Favourite TV shows: Masterpiece Theatre, Mystery, Frontline, Nova. “I won’t watch rubbish.”

Words of wisdom: “Do as you would be done by.” :