Arms Wide Open: A Midwife's Journey

Patsy Harmon has done it again. In her first memoir, "The Blue Cotton Gown," she told the intimate stories of her patients. Her readers, many of whom have worn the gown literally and figuratively, related to the spectrum of emotions, from anguish to restoration, she and her patients went through together. Harmon opened a window into their reproductive and female souls. Complicated lives were untangled by their caring mentor, a professional midwife with the relatability of a wise best girlfriend, mother or sister.Now, with "Arms Wide Open" Harmon reveals more of herself. "An archeologist digging through..." her own past, she is a natural woman. Her forthright choices to live in several communes give the reader a close-up look into the lifestyle of the hippies in the 60's, and dispels some myths. This journey is told with such descriptive metaphors, the reader will experience the same spirit of transparency as her first book. She allows the reader into her relationships with men. She describes her son's father as having a heart "like the center of a maple tree, full of sweetness, but hard to tap."In "Arms Wide Open," the reader comes away with a new appreciation for the processes of giving birth under complex circumstances such as breech presentation; unconventional deliveries that turn out undoubtedly better than intervention would have; home births during snowstorms, etc. Harmon successfully and naturally exposes the deepest aspects of the midwife and client connection, the natural order of the birth process which Harmon describes in gripping detail.Finally, Harmon displays a true pioneer spirit. There are very few things that can shake her to the core. Subsisting on few provisions becomes necessary in the commune and has seemingly little effect on her. Her strength is palpable. Not for worms, though! A bee swarm and other natural forces in the environments of her choosing become battles the reader cheers Harmon on.

I will read it myself. Was recommended by a friend.

I wondered if Arms Wide Open would grab me the way The Blue Cotton Gown did, and it did. I very much like Harman's conversational style and her ability to chose eloquent ways to describe events and feelings. Despite our very different paths taken in the 1960's and 70's and my general disdain for the "hippie" lifestyle, I felt this was a woman who was truly committed to the way she lived, and who strove to be faithful to the path she took. I admire that she and Tom chose more mainstream careers in ways that would truly make a difference in women's health and in an area that otherwise might be underserved. I got a very real sense that they were instrumental in blazing a path to give women options in childbirth and pre-natal care at a time when women's health was sometimes barely on the radar screen. Where she and I come together, along with Tom, is her ardent feminism. I am thankful for women like her. She has a story to tell and tells it very well.

Genuine and unashamedly honest portrayal of hippie life. I'm very impressed with the positive impact Patricia has made in her world. Could only wish there were more like her! And inspires me to give more positive vibes out while appreciating the beauty and simple joys all around.

Thank you Patsy for sharing your amazing journey! I feel like I know you, your writing is so open and honest. I felt like you were able to put into words my own feelings (and a whole generation of women's) about midwifery and the evolution of ourselves and our relationships. I am anxious to share this and your other wonderful books with my sisters and friends. You are blessed to have lived such a life and we are blessed that you also have a gift of writing and chose to share your story with us.

I wanted to read many birth stories. Just a few in here. It’s an autobiography about a hippie living in communes who eventually becomes a nurse married to a doctor. Mediocre writing

This book is a little slice of the life of a midwife and is reflective of a whole generation of midwives. Patsy Harman is a wisewoman who began midwifery in the way that so many of the Baby-Boomers did; as a hippie midwife doing home birth. She shares with us her evolution over the past 4 decades to bring her special brand of compassionate care-giving to a broader population as a certified nurse-midwife. Social justice, civil disobedience and collective consciousness changed our nation from the 1960's to now and is a legacy we pass to the next generation. My only hope is that she writes more books!

Life presents many challenges and we have the choice of how to respond. The author does a great job of telling her story of her responses. Challenge you to read it with an open mind!

I would give this book 6 stars if I could, I thoroughly enjoyed every single page. The story spans 30 years of hippie commune living, untrained assistance at births ,through training and practising as a Nurse- Midwife, but with a firm conviction that women are designed to give birth and most do with minimal intervention.Truly inspiring reading for all midwives and anyone with an interest in child birth.I read it in one day at the expense of housework, sleeping etc.

Another perfectly told story by Patsy.

Harman writes about her flower child life in the deep woods with openness and humour (I'm Canadian!). I was eager to read her next two books.