𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝟸𝟷-𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘸𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮𝘦 𝘰𝘧 '𝘎𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘸𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘨', 𝘪.𝘦. 𝘮𝘪𝘥𝘸𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘥𝘸𝘪𝘧𝘦. 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘵⁣ midwifediaries.com

⁣For lots of different reasons, the oceans are becoming more acidic. More co2 dissolved in seawater is part of it, which is an emissions problem, and why everyone is currently talking about net zero. But pollution from plastic waste, both stuff that’s dumped in the oceans, and from washing synthetic clothes also contribute.⁣⁣

Another problem is the drugs we take. Every time you take medicine, between 30-100% of it comes out in your urine and faeces. They end up in the wastewater system and treatment plants are not set up to take this stuff out. One big study sampled 258 rivers across 104 countries, and in 1/4 of the rivers, the concentrations of drugs were thought to be dangerous for environmental or human health. There were large amounts of analgesics, antibiotics and ant-convulsants in there. Other studies have found beta-blockers, antifungals and anti-depressants.⁣⁣

All of this is causing issues with reproduction for animals and plants, and you’ve probably heard about the feminisation of male fish from birth control pollution and so on. But there’s more of a problem afoot. We get 90% of our oxygen from plankton in the ocean. Despite the obvious joke that perhaps anti-depressants in the sea-water might cheer the plankton up, what actually happens is acidification and plankton death. One massive study has predicted that all the plankton is going to die out. Once the plankton dies, there is no other plan for getting oxygen. That would be the end of the human race. We’re on schedule for this to happen by 2045, so within our lifetimes.⁣⁣

Now, this brings me to why I think midwifery is a vital eco tool. We suggest physiology and self-trust. Midwifery philosophy does not force people into having a natural birth, but we’re the people to go to for tools and experience if you did want to go that route. The critical philosophy of midwifery, as opposed to obstetric nursing, is that we probably have everything we need to flourish in pregnancy and birth, just in our brains and bodies. ⁣⁣

We also have an impact on other kinds of illnesses too. I was at a conference recently and an obstetrician mentioned that the kind of conversations that midwives can have are just not possible for any other kind of professional. Interventions and drugs are sometimes vital but we are the experts in returning the power to the client, and thinking of more low-key resources. We would prefer not to pour anything synthetic into you during pregnancy and birth or afterwards. It might even be a good idea to stay at home.⁣⁣

Never doubt how important your practice is. Our culture might be medicalised, but that isn’t the reality of what’s going on in the universe. We will probably sort out the drug wastewater issue at some point (we're going to have to) but we will always find new ways to fuck with the planet. Midwives are aiming for the opposite of this.⁣⁣

You probably came into midwifery because of a strong gut feeling that it made sense to support clients this way. That gut instinct was correct. It strikes me that every time you are building connection and using knowledge and experience which promotes being human, you are part of addressing our place in things on an inconceivably vast level.⁣⁣

To your needs,⁣

⁣Ellie.⁣

⁣⁣⁣p.s.⁣⁣⁣

See more on the plankton issue here: https://www.greenerpractice.co.uk/information-and-resources/events-webinars/past-webinars/sharon-pfleger-medicines-and-the-environment-25-05-22/?mc_cid=f443ddf55f&mc_eid=1570e81277⁣

⁣⁣⁣In part I'm writing this series to help launch my new book, ‘Becoming a Midwife: A Student’s Guide’. It's out 23/2/23. ⁣⁣

⁣⁣I am bad at getting these up on the website each day I'm writing them, but if you want to get them without delay, subscribe to the midwifediaries.com mailing list.

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