Author Lisa Yarger (left) and North Carolina nurse-midwife Lovie Beard Shelton.
Photo by Shanna Marie Shaffer.
I had the pleasure of interviewing Lisa Yarger, folklorist and writer, about her book Lovie: The Story Of A Southern Midwife And An Unlikely Friendship (University of North Carolina Press, published in association with the Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University)--published originally in 2016, the book is newly out in paperback. I also went to hear Lisa speak at our Main Library about her relationship with Lovie and writing this book. What a gem!
In this episode we touch on the breadth of women's historical engagement with their perinatal care, including the shift from home to hospital, bias and racism in our care system, government programs and how they do and don't work, and some of the history of midwifery in the US and the UK. Lovie was a woman with a career and family in another era, which is a fascinating subject by itself! But this is also a personal story about the relationship that our author and her subject developed over the course of their time together.
Lisa and I hit it off immediately and had a rousing conversation! I recommend you find this book and give it a read as soon as possible! I'm also hoping our conversation may have sparked another book from our wonderful guest!
This episode is essential research for anyone considering home birth.
Listen to Esther Gallagher and Lisa Yarger on the Fourth Trimester Podcast Episode 83. Click here for iTunes and click here for Google Play. Enjoy! xo
