Procrastination by Unity

Procrastination

Written by Unity 

 

            Procrastination is resistance to something that one has to do.  Procrastination is self-defeating and can be a result/cause of low self-efficacy and self-esteem.   When someone is in a consistent state of procrastination they are in a state of resistance to life.   Procrastination leads to unnecessary stress.  When we procrastinate, we are putting more pressure on ourselves.  Life can catch up with you pretty quick and soon enough you are having to procrastinate on the next thing that comes your way before completing last week's procrastination.  The habit and thought pattern of procrastination is a direct manifestation of following and becoming a slave to egoic desires.

 

            When we procrastinate, we are toeing the line of respect and character.  Setting ourself up for failure.  The quality of work is poor because it is completed from a place of stress.  It is not given the proper amount of time necessary to do with integrity.  Procrastination is playing with fire; linear man made time.  It is binds you and makes you a slave to deadlines and the clock.  A farmer who procrastinates is not a good farmer.  He is putting himself before the food he is depended upon to produce.  When you are depended upon by your family and community you cannot procrastinate.  You lose respect. You lose character.   

 

            When you take things as they come you free yourself from the self-inflicted wounds that are a result of procrastinating.  By dealing with your life and what arises directly and promptly you are showing that you are response-able.  This is mindfulness.  Being totally in the present moment, accepting what is happening and dealing with it.   You are able to respond to what comes your way.  Thoughts, emotions, desires, responsibilities. 

 

            Through acceptance of what we need to do, whether pleasant or not, we can overcome the habit of procrastination.  There is always a choice in how we respond to our responsibilities.  Our attitude towards what we are doing (or procrastinating doing) and the environment.  We can approach it with resistance and fear or we can approach it with acceptance and love.  Love lies in our actions.  Love is expressing yourself when needed.

           

            By practicing mindfulness you are showing up to your precious life and your community.  Responsibility, discipline, honesty are ways of showing respect to the community you live in and the world around you.  Without them there is no respect for life including your own.  Procrastination can be overcome by being proactive with your life.  Not waiting for things to come to you or deadlines, but rather seeing things before they come and choosing to deal with them with acceptance.  Taking action when it needs to be done as opposed to when it absolutely has to be done.  Understanding who you are and who you aspire to be helps to organize and prioritize your life to the point where procrastination does not exist.  This is freedom and a deep joy comes from action instead of stress.  We can calmly deal with what arises because we are freed from the stress of procrastination.  Training yourself into a consistent, responsible, proactive person shows love and respect for your community.  Life on Earth is facing a major crisis.  Life needs our attention.  We do not have time to procr

Servitude-Volunteering for the Lakota Healing Way Center's Father's Day Fundraiser

Respect. Service. Gratitude.  All beings deserve to be loved and served.  To love and serve others is to love and serve Creator; God.  Elders, teachers, and children deserve special respect.  An elder's spirit and a child's joyful dance are profound teachings.  It is an honor to be in the presence of an elder.  It is a blessing to listen to their heart and wisdom.  My body and mind are healthy.  It is my responsibility to care for elders and those who not in perfect health.  I am committed to putting the needs of others before my own. 

I am blessed to have been introduced to Native ways and wisdom.  I do not take this lightly.  I feel a deep responsibility to the land and the people of this land.  I am humbled by this space and sense of place.  I have much to learn and much to give.  I come in respect, in service, and in gratitude.  

Unity

Unity is a member of the Sferrazza family and has an older sister who teaches yoga.

A Sophomore at MSU Denver, he has chosen a journey to discover his own unique ability to help others. 

http://www.lakotawayhealingcenter.org

Yoga During Pregnancy

Yoga can be very beneficial for pregnant women — it helps you breathe and relax, which in turn can help you adjust to the physical demands of pregnancy, labor, birth, and motherhood. It calms both mind and body, providing the physical and emotional stress relief your body needs throughout the experience of pregnancy. Taking a prenatal yoga class is also a great way to meet other moms-to-be and embark on this journey together.

You do need to take a few precautions, though:  check with your midwife before you begin any program.

* If you're attending a regular yoga class (one not specifically geared to pregnant women), be sure to tell the instructor you're pregnant, and which trimester you're in.  There are specific poses pregnant women should avoid, and they need to be aware so they can modify poses for you.

* Don't do any asanas (poses) on your back after the first trimester — it can reduce blood flow to the uterus.

* Avoid poses that stretch the abdominals too much. You're more at risk for strains, pulls, and other injuries right now because the pregnancy hormone relaxin, which allows the uterus to expand, also softens connective tissue.  Also, round ligament pain is more frequent during the second trimester.  You may begin to feel pain in your side as the ligament that goes from the top of the uterus down to the groin stretches, this happens when the uterus tilts and pulls on the muscle.    Side lying stretches can help alleviate this.  

* From the second trimester on — when your center of gravity really starts to shift — do any standing poses with your heel to the wall or use a chair for support, to avoid losing your balance and risking injury to yourself or your baby.

* When bending forward, hinge from the hips, leading with the breastbone and extending the spine from the crown of the head down to the tailbone. This allows more space for the ribs to move, which makes breathing easier.

* Keep the pelvis in a neutral position during poses by engaging the abdominals and slightly tucking the tailbone down and in. This helps relax the muscles of your buttocks (your gluteus) and the hip flexors, which can help reduce or prevent sciatic pain down the back of the leg, a common side effect of pregnancy. It also helps prevent injury to the connective tissue that stabilizes your pelvis.

* If you're bending forward while seated, place a towel or yoga strap behind your feet and hold both ends. Bend from the hips and lift the chest, to avoid compressing your abdomen. If your belly is too big for this movement, try placing a rolled-up towel under your buttocks to elevate the body, and open the legs about hip-width apart, to give your belly more room to come forward.

* When practicing twisting poses, twist more from the shoulders and back than from the waist, to avoid putting any pressure on your abdomen. Go only so far in the twist as feels comfortable — deep twists are not advisable in pregnancy.  

* Listen carefully to your body. If you feel any discomfort, stop. You will probably need to modify each pose as your body changes. A good instructor can help you customize your yoga to suit the stage of pregnancy you're in.

Written by Ashley Turner Morrow

  

Sources

http://www.babycenter.com/404_is-it-safe-to-do-yoga-during-pregnancy_5699.bc
http://www.parents.com/pregnancy/my-body/aches-pains/pelvic-pain-pregnancy/

 Yoga During Pregnancy Video

Yoga as Alternative Health Therapy for ADHD

 

 There are many school aged children in the United States that are currently diagnosed with Attention Deficit/Hyper-Activity Disorder with governmental and educational reports stating that “5 out of 100 children” in the classroom exhibit various signs including “excessive” movement ((NIHCHY), 2004)(p. 1). We are sharing this information so that the public will have the opportunity to research martial arts, yoga, and other forms of disciplined exercise programs. We have researched the following studies and have included the reference information as a basis of further understanding the alternatives to Ritalin and other amphetamine type drugs.  It was interesting to learn from Chris Streeter M.D.’s scientific findings that yoga practitioners will increase the natural and internal GABA production in the body by 27% naturally by training the body for one hour of yoga practice using asana (held poses) and pranayama (practiced rhythmic breathing) (Streeter, 2010) (p.1145). This is a demonstration that the body on its own through routine practice of breathing and focused concentration is able to produce the necessary hormones to assist the ADHD patient. The effects of Yoga are a longer lasting and less intrusive treatment to the child.  The patient with ADHD is then able to help themselves during times where they begin to experience the symptomology of hyperactivity or attention deficit.  Parents will be assured with our confident recommendation to provide their children the opportunity to learn the practice of yoga, martial arts, and cycling exercises on a weekly basis with a recommendation that yoga is a practice completed daily.  The studies listed below document how the internal chemistry within the body will begin to function with stability as a result of yoga practice. We have also included studies that further document that pharmaceutical amphetamines are not a guarantee of behavior modification (Jensen, 2004)(p. 205) and (Maddigan, 2003) (p. 40). Yoga practice as a recommended CAM intervention will benefit the child as a treatment plan that is effective and long lasting that truly assists them in a healthy and balanced wellness plan.

                We also recommend the practice of yoga for anxiety and stress relief. The body internally builds core strength through the daily routine of asanas and pranayama in addition to the ability to produce an increase of GABA.  Please contact us for further information regarding this article.

Disclosure:  Integrative Therapeutic Medicine is a recommended practice in addition to the advice given to you by your traditional western medical physician. We encourage our clients to research their prescribed medications and require that you speak with your individual western trained health practitioner about any complementary and alternative medical practice.  We encourage you to practice your own research and independent thinking as we believe that our clients know their health needs and are their own best advocate.

--Nancy

Colorado Certified Holistic Health Practitioner

 

References and Suggested Reading:

 

(NIHCHY), N. D. (2004). Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder fact sheet. [On-line]. Retrieved from NIHCHY: National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NIHCHY), (2004). Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder fact sheet. Retrieved from ID Online: http://www.idonline.org/article/Attention_Deficit/Hyperativity_Disorder_Fact_Sheet?theme=print

Bluebelly. (2013). Amphetamines. Retrieved from Bluebelly : http://www.bluebelly.org.au/howtheywork/articlebabb.html?aid=156..

Colorado University at Denver, Regents of the School of Medicine (2013, April 23). School of Medicine MD Degree curriculum overview. Retrieved from CU School of Medicine: http://www.ucdenver.edu/academics/colleges/medicalschool/eduction/degree/MDProgram/Pages/default.aspx

Jensen, P. K. (2004). The effects of yoga on the attention and behavior of boys with Attention-Deficit/hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Journal of Attention Disorders, 7, 205-216.

Kirk, M. B. (2006). Hatha Yoga, Illustrated. Champaign: Human Kinetics.

Maddigan, B. H.-B. (2003). The effects of massage therapy & exercise therapy on children/adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The Canadian Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Review, 40-43.

Roach, M. (2004). The Tibetan Book of Yoga. United States, United States: Doubleday.

Silver, L. M. (2010). Why are there so many different medications to treat ADHD? Retrieved from LD Online: http://www.ldonline.org/article/Why_are_there_so_many_different_medications_to_treat_ADHD%3F_?theme=print

Streeter, C. M. (2010). Effects of yoga versus walking on mood, anxiety, and brain GABA levels; A randomized controlled MRS study. The journal of alternative and complementary medicine, 1145-1152.

U.S. Department of Human Services, N. I. (2011, July). CAM Basics. USA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

 

Doula Wisdom : Pregnancy and Medications

Pregnancy and Medications  

When you’re pregnant, you have to be aware of everything you eat or drink, including medications and herbal supplements, both prescription and over-the-counter. There are very few things that won’t cross across the placenta and affect your baby, so it’s important to understand what you’re taking.

It’s especially important that you avoid any medications that aren’t absolutely essentially during the first 8 to 10 weeks of your pregnancy. This is the time when your baby's brain, heart, and lungs are developing – medication interactions could lead to defects in these areas.

Before prescribing any medicine, your doctor or nurse-midwife will look at whether the risk of taking medicine is higher than the risk of not treating your illness. If you or your baby would face worse problems without treatment, then your doctor or nurse-midwife will prescribe medicine or recommend an over-the-counter one. He or she will also look at which medicine to give you. For example, some antibiotics are safe for pregnant women, and some are not.

And while there are no medications which are 100 percent safe for every person, there are certain people for whom the benefits of a particular medication outweigh any possible side effects. For example, a type I diabetic needs to take synthetic insulin during pregnancy, regardless of what interactions you do need medication while pregnant, you want to take the smallest dose for the least possible time to still be effective. Follow all dosing directions provided by your doctor – for example, some medications should be taken with food, others on an empty stomach. Take each medication with a full glass of water – if you take a sip of water before taking your medication, it may be easier to swallow. Make sure your doctor knows you’re pregnant, and if you have any questions about a medication's safety, talk with your obstetrician or pharmacist.

Among the medicines that increase the chances of birth defects are:

The acne medicine isotretinoin (such as Amnesteem and Claravis). This medicine is very likely to cause birth defects. It should not be taken by women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant.

ACE inhibitors, such as benazepril and lisinopril, which lower blood pressure.

Medicines to control seizures, such as valproic acid.

Some antibiotics, such as tetracycline and doxycycline.

Warfarin (such as Coumadin), which helps prevent blood clots.

Lithium, which is used to treat bipolar depression.

Alprazolam (such as Xanax), diazepam (such as Valium), and some other medicines used to treat anxiety.

 Paroxetine (such as Paxil), which is used to treat depression and other conditions.

Natural Ways to Help With Pregnancy Discomforts

Prevent Backaches

While most women will get a backache during pregnancy there some things you can do to prevent one from even starting.

 •Gain the proper amount of weight to keep pressure off the ligaments and joints in your back. Speak to your care provider about proper weight gain during pregnancy.

 •Avoid high heels after your first trimester. High heels cause the back arch which can cause backaches.

•Bend at the knees to lift objects.

•Avoid standing for long periods.  If you have no choice about how much you stand, try standing with one foot on a low stool. Switch feet every so often.

 •Alleviate stress. Stress is a huge culprit of backaches, with or without pregnancy. Talk to your partner or care provider about stress release options.

Try Heat

Heat is probably one of the best ways to relieve backache during pregnancy. A warm bath or a warm shower can ease tense muscles. If possible, take a chair (sit backwards in it) or a birthing ball into the shower with you so you can aim the water at the exact spot that hurts and sit down at the same time. However, you should make sure you take warm, not hot showers. Raising the body temperature too high can harm the baby.  Heating pads set on a low setting are usually safe as well, with the approval of your care provider.

Take a Pregnancy Yoga Class

Pregnancy yoga stretches and strengthens muscles, which for many women alleviates backaches. It also may help prevent backaches from even starting. In addition, pregnancy or prenatal yoga prepares your body for labor and birth. Speak to your gym or your care provider for a recommendation to a pregnancy yoga class.

Sit on a Ball

Sitting on a birthing or exercise ball during pregnancy can help with backaches too. Sitting on a birthing ball takes pressure off the lower back muscles. It also aligns the torso forcing users to sit up straighter. If you're having back problems during your pregnancy, consider making the birthing ball your primary chair both at work and at home.

Get a Pregnancy Massage

A simple massage every two weeks may help to prevent or alleviate backaches during pregnancy. Most massage therapists are trained to give massages to pregnant women and many have special tables built for a pregnant woman's belly.

 Always let your masseuse know you're pregnant before you beginning a pregnancy massage as some massage/essential oils should not be used on pregnant women and some massage techniques can actually trigger labor.

Do a Pelvic Tilt

A pelvic tilt helps with spine alignment. It also helps to strengthen abdominal muscles and is very helpful if you have back labor during birth. To do a pelvic tilt, get into a hands and knees position. Keep your back straight and don't let it sag or arch. Take a deep breath, tuck your head under and tighten your abdominal muscles. If you've lost your abdominal muscles, try tucking your buttocks inward while tightening your stomach muscles. If you do this exercise correctly, your upper back should round.

Use a Full-Body Pillow

A full body pillow is a super long pillow that pregnant women can use to support their back, place between their legs to keep their hips in alignment and even support their belly, all at the same time. This support can help prevent backaches from starting when you're asleep.

Wear a Maternity Support Belt

A maternity support belt goes around the middle to support a pregnant belly. With proper use, many women find the support belt takes away all backache. Talk to your care provider about which brand they recommend you use.

Disclaimer

The information in this article should not be considered medical advice. The information in this article is not meant to treat, diagnose, prescribe or cure any ailment. Always check with your physician before taking any products or following any advice you have read on the internet.  Always consult your doctor before you start, stop or change anything that has been previously prescribed. Certain herbs and holistic remedies are unsuitable to take if you are pregnant or nursing.

http://www.pregnancy-period.com/medicinestoavoidwhilepregnant.html

http://www.webmd.com/baby/tc/medicines-during-pregnancy-overview

http://www.healthguideinfo.com/pregnancy/p20808/

Concerns with Infertility.

Wellness Checkups

It’s important to maintain a good relationship with your body.  Make sure that you are getting routine physicals, pap smears, dental and eye exams.  Remember that other problems in the body can correlate with issues somewhere else in the body.   Correlation is not always causation though.

 

BMI

BMI (Body Mass Index) measures body fat based on height and weight that applies to both men and women between the ages of 18 and 65 years.

BMI can be used to indicate if you are overweight, obese, underweight or normal. A healthy BMI score is between 20 and 25. A score below 20 indicates that you may be underweight; a value above 25 indicates that you may be overweight.  The best BMI for maintaining gestation is 18.5-25. 

 

BMI Calculator» BMI Chart

Lifestyle

What are your habits?  Look closely at your daily routine. 

Make sure that you eliminate things from your life that are stressful.  Try and get enough sleep, 8 hours a night.  Eliminate things from your environment that are harmful, start with chemicals in your cleaning products, and personal care products.  Start an exercise regimen if you do not have one.

Drink plenty of water.  You should drink half your weight in ounces a day.  If you are 140 lbs., you should consume 70 oz. of water daily.  You can also try adding or infusing some fresh lemon, lime or other fruit with the water.

Also, increasing the consumption of green tea (decaffeinated) has been shown to increase overall health. Body health is essentially the aim of increasing fertility. The healthier the female body, the better the chances of conceiving.

Diet

The quality of carbohydrates directly correlates with dietary glycemic load, ovulation and fertility.  If you consume grains, eat whole grains. 

Make sure that you are getting fruits and vegetables from every color of the rainbow.  Each color has a specific health benefit that can help improve your health and thereby your fertility.  You should try to eat at least two cups of fruit and three cups of vegetables in a variety of colors every day.  In the green category try kale, spinach, cucumbers, kiwi, and green peppers.  To get your daily dose of red try strawberries, apples, and red peppers.  For the blue and purple hues eat blueberries, plums, black berries, and eggplant.  For your dose of yellow and orange eat squash, bananas, oranges, nectarines, and lemons.

Iron is necessary to improve fertility as well.  Some good sources of iron are grass fed (pastured) meats, beans, and asparagus.  Adequate amounts of iron will also be important once you are pregnant because of the increased volume of blood.

It is important to have adequate amounts of Omega 3 in your diet if you want to improve fertility and the best source for this is found in fish.  To limit your exposure to the mercury eat only fish that have little or no mercury present such as catfish, salmon, and shrimp.

Omega 3 fatty acids can be found naturally in walnuts, flax seed, flax seed oil and whole grains. Increasing omega 3 fatty acids can also be achieved by taking an over the counter omega 3 supplement. Fish oil supplements will often contain a blend of Omega 3, Omega 6 and Omega 9 fatty acids.  Any good fat will help your body absorb these, such as grass fed butter, cheese and (pastured) eggs.

Try not to add stress to the situation.  Find a support group of other women and couples who are experiencing the same thing you are (http://infertility.supportgroups.com/).  You need people who will understand your point of view and have “been there”.  You are not alone, it’s important to remember that. 

Author-Ashley Morrow, Doula Wisdom
 

SOURCES

http://www.fish-oil-benefit.com/omega-3-sources

http://duboisbetourne.com/wpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/bmi_chart.jpg

http://www.babymed.com/food-and-nutrition/carbohydrates-and-infertility

http://www.babymed.com/foods-to-improve-fertility

 

The Landmark Nurses’ Health Study

 

 

Who's Who in Delivery?

A very important aspect of the birth of your little one is choosing a competent care provider.  Today we are going to go over the difference in care providers to help you in your decision making process.  (Arranged in alphabetical order – of no significance of importance)

Certified Midwife (CM)

A Certified Midwife (CM) is an individual educated in the discipline of midwifery, who possesses evidence of certification according to the requirements of the American College of Nurse-Midwives.

Certified Midwife (CM) is also used in certain states as a designation of certification by the state or midwifery organization.  

International Definition of a Midwife

Adopted by the International Confederation of Midwives 19 July 2005

A midwife is a person who, having been regularly admitted to a midwifery educational program, duly recognized in the country in which it is located, has successfully completed the prescribed course of studies in midwifery and has acquired the requisite qualifications to be registered and/or legally licensed to practice midwifery.

The midwife is recognized as a responsible and accountable professional who works in partnership with women to give the necessary support, care and advice during pregnancy, labor and the postpartum period, to conduct births on the midwife’s own responsibility and to provide care for the newborn and the infant. This care includes preventive measures, the promotion of normal birth, the detection of complications in mother and child, the accessing of medical or other appropriate assistance and the carrying out of emergency measures.

The midwife has an important task in health counseling and education, not only for the woman, but also within the family and community. This work should involve antenatal education and preparation for parenthood and may extend to women’s health, sexual or reproductive health and childcare.

A midwife may practice in any setting including in the home, the community, hospitals, clinics or health units.

What is the Midwives Model of Care?

The Midwives Model of Care is based on the fact that pregnancy and birth are normal life processes.

The Midwives Model of Care includes:

•Monitoring the physical, psychological, and social well-being of the mother throughout the childbearing cycle

•Providing the mother with individualized education, counseling, and prenatal care, continuous hands-on assistance during labor and delivery, and postpartum support

•Minimizing technological interventions

•Identifying and referring women who require obstetrical attention

The application of this woman-centered model of care has been proven to reduce the incidence of birth injury, trauma, and cesarean section.

Copyright (c) 1996-2008, Midwifery Task Force, Inc., All Rights Reserved. 

Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM)

A Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) is an individual educated in the two disciplines of nursing and midwifery, who possesses evidence of certification according to the requirements of the American College of Nurse-Midwives.  CNMs generally deliver within hospitals, birth centers and homebirths.

Look here to find a CNM near you  

http://midwife.org/rp/find.cfm

American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM)

The mission of the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) is to promote the health and well-being of women and infants within their families and communities through the development and support of the profession of midwifery as practiced by certified nurse-midwives and certified midwives. The philosophy inherent in the profession states that nurse-midwives believe every individual has the right to safe, satisfying health care with respect for human dignity and cultural variations.

American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB)

The American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB), formerly ACC is the national certifying body for Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs) and Certified Midwives (CMs).

Certified Professional Midwife (CPM)

A Certified Professional Midwife is a knowledgeable, skilled and professional independent midwifery practitioner who has met the standards for certification set by the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) and is qualified to provide the midwifery model of care. The CPM is the only international credential that requires knowledge about and experience in out-of-hospital settings.  CPMs generally deliver in homes of their clients or free standing birth centers.

Look here to find CPM State-by-State Legal Status

http://mana.org/statechart.html

North American Registry of Midwives (NARM)

The North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) is an international certification agency whose mission is to establish and administer certification for the credential "Certified Professional Midwife" (CPM). CPM certification validates entry-level knowledge, skills, and experience vital to responsible midwifery practice. This international certification process encompasses multiple educational routes of entry including apprenticeship, self-study, private midwifery schools, college- and university-based midwifery programs and nurse-midwifery. Created in 1987 by the Midwives Alliance of North America (MANA), NARM is committed to identifying standards and practices that reflect the excellence and diversity of the independent midwifery community in order to set the standard for North American midwifery.

Direct Entry Midwife (DEM)

A direct-entry midwife is an independent practitioner educated in the discipline of midwifery through self-study, a midwifery school, or a college- or university-based program distinct from the discipline of nursing. Most often they learn in an apprentice/preceptor relationship spanning several years.  A direct-entry midwife is trained to provide the Midwives Model of Care to healthy women and newborns throughout the childbearing cycle primarily in out-of-hospital settings.  DEMs deliver in a homebirth setting.

Family Practitioner (FP)

FPs graduate from medical school, but are not specialized inbirth.  Some FPs do 50-100 births a year, some do much less.  They refer to OB/GYNs and residents at the hospital where they have privileges.  They generally take a more natural outlook on the birth process than OB/GYNs.   Their philosophies often straddle the line between OB and Midwife.  However, that is a generalization and you need to take it upon yourself to inquire about their perspectives and routine procedural care as well as hospital protocol.  FPs only deliver in the hospital (in the US, in other parts of the world they often do homebirths).

Lay Midwife (LM)

The term "Lay Midwife" has been used to designate an uncertified or unlicensed midwife who was educated through informal routes such as self-study or apprenticeship with a preceptor, rather than through a formal program. This term does not necessarily mean a low level of education, just that the midwife either chose not to become certified or licensed, or there was no certification available for her type of education (as was the fact before the Certified Professional Midwife credential was available). Other similar terms to describe uncertified or unlicensed midwives are traditional midwife, traditional birth attendant, granny midwife and independent midwife.  LMs deliver in a homebirth setting.

Preceptor

A person, who instructs, supervises and/or assesses the clinical skills and knowledge of a student throughout the process of meeting the specific knowledge, skills and experience goals required to fulfill professional standards. Preceptor-based education offers the student one-on-one instruction, close supervision of clinical experience and on-the-spot evaluation.States, Provinces or organizations may have specific requirements to qualify as a preceptor.

Obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN)

Two surgical–medical specialties dealing with the female reproductive organs in their pregnant and non-pregnant state, respectively, and as such are often combined to form a single medical specialty and postgraduate training program. This combined training prepares the practicing OB/GYN to be adept at the surgical management of the entire scope of clinical pathology involving female reproductive organs, and to provide care for both pregnant and non-pregnant patients. They are intended to manage high risk pregnancies and surgery on the fetus, referred to as perinatology.  In the US, four years in residency are required.  A bachelor’s degree is the minimum formal education required.  They are accredited by the Accredited Council of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG). To be recognized as a board-certified subspecialist by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology or the American Osteopathic Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, a practitioner must have completed an ACGME or AOA-accredited residency and obtained a Certificate of Added Qualifications (CAQ) which requires an additional standardized examination.  OB/GYN only delivers in a hospital setting.

--Author
   Ashley Turner