I am always on the prowl for items of interest to midwives and other birth professionals. I have stumbled upon a sub-genre of the romance novel that I never knew existed: the Midwife!
There seem to be two types: historical novels or present-day fiction. Midwives seem to have an appeal as the independent, feisty, self-assured woman who puts those men in their place. I always knew it!
I am very curious to know how midwifery care, pregnancy and birth are portrayed in these novels. How is the practice of midwifery depicted? How much detail is there? How is traditional medicine portrayed? Do they depict homebirths? Water births?
I have a hunch. In the present-day fiction, the midwives all seem to have a hankering for that hunky local obstetrician [this is fiction, after all] and the genre is referred to as “medical romance.” Hmmm.
Have a read and tell me what you think.
Historical:
The Midwife's Secret, by Kate Bridges
A divorced midwife whose main mode of transportation is a bicycle doesn't sound that unusual today, but in 1888 western Canada, the divorce is scandalous and the bicycle riding is suspicious. Set in the town of Banff, Alberta, immediately before and during the grand opening of the still-famous Banff Springs Hotel, this story of a sawmill owner/builder/woodworker and the midwife brings together two good-hearted people who are both near the edge of ruin.
The Butterfly Garden, by Annette Blair
Walnut Creek, Ohio, 1833 Spinster Sara Lapp's acceptance by the Amish community teeters on shaky ground. Because her one-room cabin lay on the outskirts, she was incorporated into a new community when the old one was divided, and that doesn't help matters at all. She's too outspoken and bossy for potential suitors, and the elders disapprove of her studies with the local English (non-Amish) doctor. At fifteen, Sara lost her whole family. Her mother and brother died in childbirth, and her father was killed in an ice storm while going for a doctor. Sara's one ambition is to become a midwife and learn everything there is to know to save babies and mothers. It's the only thing that will give meaning to her lonely life.
The Midwife's Song, by Brenda Ray
A young Israelite woman during the Egyptian captivity, Puah dreams of greater things than being a mere wife and mother. When Shiphrah, a friend of her mother's, offers her the chance to be her apprentice in midwifery, she gains her dream of a better life than she could have hoped for otherwise. Midwives have a place of great respect in that time and culture, and this also affords her time to delay her betrothal until she can marry for love. Four years later, when she meets Hattush, a goldsmith in Pharaoh's service, it is love at first sight for both of them.
Present-Day
The Midwife's Courage, by Lilian Darcy
Delivering babies all day while knowing she would never have one of her own was hard enough for midwife Katherine McConnell. Harder still, on her first date with gorgeous obstetrician Gian Di Luzio she discovered he wanted kids — and so she had to stop the affair before it even got started. Gian admired Kit's courage and selflessness in breaking off their relationship. But, working side by side with Kit, he realized that he wanted to be with her above all else. Surely that didn't mean he was falling in love…?
The Midwife's Marriage Proposal, by Sarah Morgan
Obstetrician Tom Hunter last saw Sally Jenner when he broke off their relationship to concentrate on his career. Hurt and confused, Sally had left the Lake District. Now she's back — working in Tom's department as the new midwife, and on dangerous assignments with him and the mountain rescue team. Caught up amid the drama of saving lives, Tom realizes he wants Sally back in his life. But Sally refuses to risk her heart a second time. She'll settle for an affair, but Tom has decided that this time he wants it all.…
The Pregnant Midwife, by Fiona McArthur
Courageous midwife Kirsten Wilson has been trying to forget Hunter Morgan since returning to Sydney. Getting up in the helicopter again to rescue tiny babies is just what she needs to put their past behind her. At least until Hunter arrives as the new doctor in charge! Hunter's still attracted to Kirsten, but he can't bring himself to commit to someone so feisty and daring. That is until a huge helicopter crash forces them to put their priorities in order — and the consequences change both their lives forever….
Midwife In Need, by Fiona McArthur
For the past ten years, midwife Abbey Wilson's life has had a steady pattern. Ever since a physically and mentally painful breakup with her fiancé, Abbey has devoted her life to her work and to less fortunate women she has met in the course of her job. She and her two younger sisters, all midwives, lost their parents when young, and Abbey has always been the nurturer and protector. Living in the large boarding house her parents left to her and her siblings, Abbey takes in young pregnant women or new mothers who have been abused or neglected, giving them a home until they can get back on their feet. Abbey has pointedly avoided another relationship with a man, but that changes when Dr. Rohan Roberts arrives to spell the local pediatrician who has gone on holiday.
A Very Single Midwife, by Fiona McArthur
Bella Wilson is looking forward to a new life independent of men and their lies. After a painful breakup with an unfaithful lover, Bella has returned to Gladstone to work as a midwife with her older sister, Abbey, and live in the family home. Her reunion with her sister is tempered by the fact that Dr. Scott Rainford is still the chief obstetrician at Gladstone Hospital, the same Scott Rainford who, twelve years before, had been the first man to break her heart. As a youthful eighteen-year-old, Bella fell hard for the older doctor, but Scott broke off the budding romance because of their age difference.
I must confess that I am full of curiousity. This might warrant a trip to the bookstore or library. If any of you have read these, I'd love to hear your feedback.
I’m just waiting for the new sub-genres: Doulas and Lactation Consultants!
“The Divine Doula” “The Lovely Lactation Consultant” Coming soon....
All content other than the publisher’s plot summaries is copyright 2005 Sarah Hilbert-West
