nPostednon January 21, 2014
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OldnMidwife’s Day in Bulgaria is January 8, according to the Julianncalendar—but it is today, January 21, on the Gregorian calendar!
OldnMidwife’s Day in Bulgaria is January 8, according to the Julianncalendar—but it is today, January 21, on the Gregorian calendar! n
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nAlso called Babin Den, or Granny’s Day, all the babies and women whonhad used services of the village’s midwife that year would visit thenbaban(the midwife, who is lovingly honored with the title grandmother)nwith gifts of flowers, food, and/or clothing. There was, in somenplaces and times, a ceremonial washing of the baba at the well ornriver; and the baba, wearing a necklace made of red chile peppers,ndoes a ceremonial washing of all the babies she has delivered thatnyear.
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nThesendays, most Bulgarian babies are born in hospitals, with doctors andnnurses rather than midwives. However, at least one source says thatnmany people carry out the old tradition by bringing flowers to thenmedical personnel who brought them or their children into the world.
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nThat’sna nice tradition!
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nWhatnis a midwife?
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nFornmany centuries, midwives have helped deliver babies using thenaccumulated knowledge from countless midwives and countless years’ ofnexperience. Of course, some of that “knowledge” was really justnsuperstitions that were passed down from generation to generation.nFor example, two things that Bulgarian babasnusually did to ensure an easy delivery was to make the sign of thencross three times and to bless the house with incense. Such customsncan help people psychologically—a sort of placebo effect—but donnot actually do anything to ensure a safe or easy childbirth. n
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Modernnmidwives in developed nations might have soothing customs that arenwell known to help delivering moms focus or relax, but they also haven professional training and medical knowledge. They are experts atnnormal childbirth—whether it occurs in the parents’ home or in anchildbirth center or in a hospital. They know when things aren’tn“normal” and more extensive medical help is needed. Many midwivesnare able to offer help after a baby is born, as well, advising momsnabout breastfeeding and newborn care.
Modernnmidwives in developed nations might have soothing customs that arenwell known to help delivering moms focus or relax, but they also haven professional training and medical knowledge. They are experts atnnormal childbirth—whether it occurs in the parents’ home or in anchildbirth center or in a hospital. They know when things aren’tn“normal” and more extensive medical help is needed. Many midwivesnare able to offer help after a baby is born, as well, advising momsnabout breastfeeding and newborn care.n
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nAlsonon this date:
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nErrolnBarrow Day in Barbados
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nAnniversarynof the introduction of the smallpox vaccine
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Anniversarynof one of the first female doctors, Sophia Jex-Blake
Anniversarynof one of the first female doctors, Sophia Jex-Blaken
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nPlannahead!
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nChecknout my Pinterest boards for:
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nJanuaryn birthdays
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nAndnhere are my boards for:
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