The Future

I enjoyed reading an article called "The Future of Midwifery" by Judith Rooks and Kitty Ernst in the December 1999 edition of the IJCE (I'm still working my way through the big binder of old issues and still enjoying every one!). The conclusion of the article was as follows:

"It is said that the best way to predict the future is to create it. Creative forces come from our souls, our beliefs, our values, our moral and spiritual strength, and from the scientific evidence available to us at any given time. If we are to meet the challenges ahead, each of us must weigh authoritative pronouncements and popular opinions against the available scientific evidence, temper it with our own beliefs and values, and chart a course drawing on our collective moral and spiritual strengths. Change is often shaped not only by what we do but by what we do not do. The future of midwifery and our children's care in childbirth is in our hands today. To be silent is to speak. To do nothing is to take action." (emphasis mine)

Sometimes it seems as if I am saying the same things over and over and trying to reach people who may or may not want to be reached. I found the above quote a good reminder that continuing to pursue change in birth practices is a worthwhile endeavor.

--Molly Remer