I enjoyed this book a lot. I guess I expected it to be different in a way and talk more about midwifery in the delivery of babies rather than simply her practice, but it was interesting all the same. I read a bit of the book then had a few days in between my next reading and found I had to look back to remember the different stories of the patients she was talking about. The book is broken up into short snippets or chapters, each talking about different patients, with the occasional chapter just about the author. There are approximately 10 or so patients she jumps around between, so it's tricky to remember who's who at times. I liked the variety of patients she talked about. From her friend's daughter, to a woman she had known for a while who had quite a few children. The families and the descriptions let the reader know quite a bit about who she was treating. I also had no idea the amount of money it takes to not only run your own practice, but the malpractice insurance rates! They're astronomical and it's sad that they have gotten that high. No wonder no one can afford to have their own practice anymore. Great book. This memoir by Patricia (Patsy) Harman, a certified nurse midwife, tells about the patients and business she shared with her husband Tom, an OB/GYN physician in West Virginia. They had recently given up delivering babies at their clinic due to the high cost of malpractice insurance, but continued to see patients seeking other women’s health services. The fascinating personal and professional stories flow together, and the author provides blunt commentary of a difficult time.
What do You think about Blue Cotton Gown (2014)?
Great for a leasurly read. Not so great for an English class which is what it was bought for!
—Gracina
Interesting, but I liked Arms Wide Open a little better.
—bailey549
more about painful women's stories than miswifery
—aisha
