April 2025
Midwife Expert News
New Book Available Now• UK and International Visits • New studies and data
Welcome to the MidwifeExpert Spring Newsletter
Spring is here and with it comes a burst of exciting news. I'm thrilled to celebrate the launch of my new book, Waterbirth for the 21st Century: Love, Skills and Knowledge. It’s a blend of evidence, experience and heartfelt guidance and is now available on Amazon (link below).
This issue also shares moments from my recent teaching visits in the UK and abroad, including Istanbul, São Paulo, and Crete. Each trip reflects the same commitment to strengthening skills, confidence and compassionate care around waterbirth.
You’ll also find details of several important new studies that are shaping current conversations in maternity care, perfect for anyone wanting to stay connected to the latest evidence.
Thank you for being part of MidwifeExpert as we step into a new season together.
Dianne Garland
New Book Available Now
It’s been a long time coming but Waterbirth for the 21st Century- Love, Skills and Knowledge is finally here. For those who have been enquiring, I want to thank you for your patience and hope you enjoy it. I’m so pleased to be able to share it with you all.
And once again, huge thanks to all those who contributed.
“Waterbirth for the 21st Century – Love, Skills and Knowledge, a comprehensive guide for midwives and maternity professionals. Blending history, global research and practical clinical insight, it offers evidence-based guidance and real-world experiences to strengthen confident, safe and skilled waterbirth practice.
Global research, clinical experience, practical guidance, inspiring stories.”
Istanbul, Turkey 2025
The end of 2025 brought the wonderful opportunity to teach in Istanbul at the invitation of Dr. Turabi Yerli and Özlem Karabulut. Their hospitality, professionalism and dedication to advancing waterbirth education made the visit both memorable and deeply rewarding. The teaching sessions were lively, thoughtful and filled with genuine commitment to improving care- a true reflection of their passion for supporting birthing families. During the study session, I was also invited to speak with Turkish television- a really lovely opportunity to share insights about waterbirth and highlight the enthusiasm of everyone involved.
Istanbul itself was a joy to experience: vibrant, welcoming and full of warmth. The kindness of the people, the energy of the city and the rich blend of history and modern life created the perfect backdrop for learning and connection.
My sincere thanks to Dr. Yerli and Özlem for their generosity and for bringing together such an engaged group of professionals. I very much hope to return in the future and continue this meaningful collaboration.
Zeynep Kamil hospital presentation and TV interview
South Tees NHS Trust February 2026
I had the pleasure of teaching at South Tees NHS Trust in February 2026, where the session was engaging, thoughtful and supported by a highly committed team. It was great to work with such dedicated professionals.
Classical Midwifery Conference in Crete, September 2025
Left to right- me, Janet Dirmayer, Dianne Bjarnson, Angelina Martinez, Marianne Little John, Amy Medwin, Jan Trittan and Carol Gautschi. Over 40 years experience each!
Dr Hakan Coker and Nese Karabekir from Turkey
Speaking at the Sia Parto Conference, São Paulo
Travelling from the UK to Brazil is no small journey, but speaking at the Sia Parto conference in São Paulo certainly made it worthwhile. The event was incredibly rewarding, with thoughtful discussions, warm engagement and a shared commitment to improving care for birthing families. In my sessions we covered a mixture of topics- breech birth, care of home birth families, legal work supporting health professionals and so much more.
My sincere thanks to Angelo and to everyone who attended for creating such a welcoming and inspiring atmosphere.
While in Brazil, I also had the opportunity to visit Casa Angela Birth Centre in São Paulo. It was a real privilege to see firsthand how this centre operates. The skilled team and clear dedication to respectful, physiological birth were truly impressive. My heartfelt thanks to all involved for their time, openness, and hospitality.
Brazil’s warmth, (both in climate and in spirit!) made this visit unforgettable and I hope to return again in the future.
Aurora Sinai is the only hospital to offer waterbirth experience in Southeast Wisconsin, USA February 2025
A new feature at Aurora Sinai Medical Center gives labouring moms an option for pain relief and relaxation that isn’t found in any other hospital in South-eastern Wisconsin.
In June 2024, Aurora Sinai’s waterbirth suite was officially opened to the public, another patient-centred labour and delivery offering designed to further customize the birthing experience.
Birth by Land or by Water: Implementing Waterbirth at Parkview Randallia Kim et al 2024
Researchers analysed data on women without pregnancy complications who used a birthing pool during labour. POOL study 2024. Some women got out of the pool due to medical complications during labour or because they wanted pain relief that cannot be given in water.
Among women without labour complications, compared with leaving the pool to give birth, giving birth in the pool led to:
- no increase in serious tears (from vagina to anus)
- no increase in baby deaths, neonatal admissions with breathing support, or infections requiring antibiotics among babies.
The study could reassure women and healthcare professionals about the safety of water births. Clinicians could discuss these findings with pregnant women considering using a birthing pool during labour.
The Effect of Hydrotherapy Application on Pain During Birth and Postpartum Fatigue and Comfort
J Eval Clin Pract
2025 Apr 1;31(3):e70060. doi: 10.1111/jep.70060
Zeynep Cambaz Midwife 1,✉, Ayça Şolt Kırca 2,✉
1 Tekirdag Corlu District State Hopital, Tekirdag, Turkey
2 Midwifery Department Kirklareli, Kirklareli University School of Health Science, Kirklareli, Turkey
Correspondence: Zeynep Cambaz Midwife (zynpcmbz@gmail.com), Ayça Şolt Kırca (aycasolt@hotmail.com)
Corresponding author.
PMCID: PMC11959213 PMID: 40165542
Background
The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of hydrotherapy applied during labour on pain felt at birth, postpartum fatigue and comfort, and person‐centred maternity care.
Conclusion
It was determined that hydrotherapy application shortened labour time, had a positive effect on newborn Apgar scores, relieved pain felt during birth, reduced postpartum fatigue, increased postpartum comfort and had a positive effect on person‐centred maternal care.
Spiritual midwifery: lessons for our future.
Dr Alys Einion, Jenny Hall and Dianne Garland.TPMW. March 2025
Visiting Iguazu Falls and Machu Picchu offered some meaningful perspectives on birth and its connection to nature. The power and continuous flow of Iguazu Falls reinforced ideas about how birth seeks to follow its own natural course. Machu Picchu, with its deep historical and spiritual significance, promoted thoughts around wisdom and balance needed in midwifery through the ages—blending knowledge, intuition, and respect for traditions and cultures. These breath-taking landscapes serve as reminders that birth is both a physical process and a deeply rooted, universal experience.
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We would love to hear from you regarding any subjects mentioned here, suggestions for future news or anything else in the world of midwifery.