Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
Psalm 127:3

Patti has captured the pageantry of this unique experience (midwifery & childbirth) and expressed it in readable form. I could not suppress a "Hallelujah" several times as I was reading it...If The Ministry of Midwifery had been available during my years of training lay midwives and delivering or supervising several hundred home births, I would have required the students to read it, and would have supplied it to our patients for the childbirth training classes. The Lord has blessed us with an excellent book, long overdue...

Foreword by Agatha M. Thrash, MD

The manual that so many have been asking for, The Ministry of Midwifery by Patti Barnes, C.P.M., is an introduction into the fields of midwifery and childbirth education. This beautiful and informative manual is presented from a Christian perspective with the hopes of providing Christ-centered instruction, combining faith with practical knowledge. Its very tasteful layout makes it suitable for men and women alike.

• Introduction into the fields of midwifery and childbirth education
• Christ-centered instruction
• Prenatal care and health tips
• Exciting birth stories
• Easy to read, many illustrations
• Foreword by Dr. Agatha Thrash
• Over 100 pages in an 8 ½" x 11" format
• 15 Chapters packed with practical information.

1. The Ministry of Midwifery
   An exciting birth story leads into the ministry perspective of midwifery. Patti explains how midwifery for her is a ministry, a Christian ministry, with Jesus Christ as her number one protocol. She shares how faith, responsibility, and Christian deportment all combine to shape an effective medical missionary.
2. The Need for Training
   In this chapter, Patti discusses why midwives should be trained. There is a difference between faith and presumption, and a Christian midwife will do well to distinguish between the two before falling into a snare of the enemy of souls.
3. Are Home Births Safe?
   This chapter contains a very brief summary of the safety of homebirths and why a growing number of parents are choosing to deliver at home.
4. Embryology and Fetal Growth
   Truly we are "fearfully and wonderfully made." Patti takes you step by step through the process of fetal growth and development from conception to birth.
5. Reproductive Anatomy
   Learn about the equipment that our Creator has designed within the woman to conceive and birth babies. Also learn how God has miraculously provided women with an anatomy that changes through the course of childbearing.
6. Prenatal Care
   Patti discusses in this chapter the need for good prenatal care and what prenatal care should include. Learn how to measure fundal height, listen to fetal heart tones, do urinalysis, etc.
7. Birthing and the Eight Laws of Health
   God has provided eight simple, natural ways to optimize pregnancy and childbirth. You will be amazed at what water, sunshine, rest, exercise, fresh air, temperance, proper diet and faith can do. For example, did you know that sunshine decreases blood cholesterol?
8. Herbs and Natural Remedies
   God has provided many powerful and effective herbs for health and healing. Patti discusses many that are safe to use during pregnancy. Many common ailments that may and often do occur during pregnancy are covered.
9. Labor and Delivery
   This chapter covers the three stages of labor. Cardinal movements, dilation, labor support, delivery of baby and placenta, birthing kits and more are covered.
10. Postpartum Mother and Newborn Care
    Learn how to care for the mother and the baby immediately after birth. Apgar scoring is explained along with newborn assessment.
11. Emergency Situations
    Another amazing birth story sets the stage for this chapter on emergencies. Patti discusses such things as placenta previa, Bandl's rings, postpartum hemorrhaging, cord prolapse, shoulder dystocia and much more.
12. Breastfeeding Advantages
    This is a brief look into some of the advantages of breastfeeding over formulas. We cannot improve on God's design.
13. Miscarriages
    This very brief chapter gives some helpful hints for those who are prone to miscarry.
14. The Role of the Husband
    This chapter was contributed by Timothy Clark, R.N. The husband has a big role to play during the prenatal period, the birth, and postnatal period. Learn the role that God has entrusted the husband and father with.
15. Birth in a Blizzard
    This dramatic story concludes the book. Read the thrilling adventure of a snowbound family and their two midwives.