1. Danielle Couture
Cover Essay:
The profession of nursing is a field of healthcare and research that focuses on human
care. Nurses work with patients during some of their most vulnerable moments. They strive to
comfort and support their patients throughout the process of healing or dying. The caring nature
of this profession, coupled with its role in healthcare is what has motivated me to become a
nurse. One of my strongest and most pronounced personality traits is my ability and drive to care
and show loving compassion toward any person that I have relations with. Furthermore, my
personal interests include the physiology of the human body and the innate healing mechanisms
it exhibits.
My passion to help others is particularly focused on helping other women. Women’s
health has become an integral part of my everyday life and career as a student. I have educated
myself on many of the topics surrounding my chosen career field, nurse-midwifery. The
physiological mechanisms that are part of giving birth are both fascinating and complex. Both
the social mechanisms that drive different birthing practices as well as the biological
mechanisms are what attract me to the field of nurse-midwifery. One of the aspects of birthing
practices that varies here in the US is the setting in which the woman gives birth. Different
settings may include; in birthing centers, hospitals, at home as well as at other healthcare
facilities. Part of what differs between these settings in the type of care the woman receives. The
midwife model of care, which focuses on natural childbirthing practices, focuses on birth as a
social experience that should be celebrated. The alternative model of care, often used in hospital
settings, includes the use of pain medication for the mother as well as having a physician or

2. nurse who is not there for the entire duration of the labor. Upon becoming a midwife, it is my
goal to help women have the birthing experiences that they desire. To achieve this goal I will
rely on many of the skills I have gained as a result of my education in anthropology. For
example, I hope to approach the process of giving birth in a holistic manner. By this I mean that
the body can be viewed as one integrated system and should be treated as such. I also expect to
draw on different cultural practices that have been proven to aid a woman in her birthing
experience. All of these tools will help me, as midwife and nurse, to deliver the best care
possible to my patients and their families. Upon completing my education and certification both
as a nurse and as a midwife, I hope to work in a hospital or birthing clinic. I wish to work in
these settings because it would allow me to help many women who may not know that natural
childbirth is an option for them. The field and work of nurse-midwives is something that I am
prepared to dedicate the rest of my working life towards and plan on doing so.
Professional Annotated Bibliography
2/15/13
Miscellaneous:
Dalvit, S. P. "The Effect of the Menstrual Cycle on Patterns of Food Intake." The American
Journal of Clinical Nutrition 34.9 (1981): 1811-815. Print.
This article examines how increased estrogen levels in the human body can act as an appetite
surpressor. This article was used in concordance with a college course in nutrition.
De Vrese, Michael, Anna Stegelmann, and Bernd Richter. “Probiotics –compensation for
Lactase Insufficiency.” The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 73.2 (n.d.): 421-29. Print.
This article looks at the physiological mechanisms that lactase deficient people lack for the
breakdown of lactose and also how probiotic dairy products affect this. This article was used for
personal enjoyment and education mainly because I am lactose intolerant.

3. Feria-Isacks, Valerie. "Anthropology Is For Foodies." Web log post. N.p., 28 Jan. 2013. Web. 15
Feb. 2013.
This blog examines how food is used cross-culturally as a communication medium. This blog is
used for personal enlightenment and education.
**McKenna, J. J. (1996). Sudden infant death syndrome in cross-cultural perspective: Is infant-
parent cosleeping protective?. Annual Review of Anthropology, 25(1), 201.
This article examines the cultural factors that may help to explain the different prevalence rates
of SIDS in different cultural regions. This article was used for personal education on a subject
related to postpartum care. This is particularly relevant to the field of midwifery because SIDS
most often occurs in infants aged less than 12 months.
"Oceana | Protecting the World's Oceans." Searching for a More Responsible Way to Farm Fish.
N.p., n.d. Web. 07 July 2012. <http://oceana.org/en/blog/2012/05/searching-for-a-more-
responsible-way-to-farm-fish>.
This web article explains some of the mechanism of fish farming, such as how the fish are raised
and or caught. This article was used in concordance with a college course on the ethics of food. It
was also used to educate personal consumer and food choices.
Cervical Cancer:
C.J. Simon, et al. “Comparison of Visual Inspection and Papanicolau (PAP) Smears For Cervical
Cancer Screening In Honduras: Should PAP Smears Be Abandoned?.” Tropical Medicine and
International Health 12.9 (2007): 1018-1025.
This source analyzes the effectiveness of PAP smear screening for cervical cancer as compared
to visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA). This article was used for a research project
examining the higher prevalence of cervical cancer among developing nations as compared to
developed nations such as the US.
Fererra, Annabelle, Johan B. Felema, Ricardo Bulnes, and Luis A. Toro. "Co-factors Related to
the Causal Relationship between Human Papillomavirus and Invasive Cervical Cancer in
Honduras." International Journal of Epidemiology 29.5 (2000): 817-25. Print.
This article is a scientific study of the relationship between HPV and cervical cancer. This study
found that there is a causal relationship between the virus and the development of cervical
cancer. This article was used both for personal education and for a course project.
Luciani, Silvana, and Jon Kim Andrus. "A Pan American Health Organization Strategy for
Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control in Latin America and the Caribbean."Reproductive
Health Matters 16.32 (2008): 59-66. Print.

4. The article is a summary of the Pan American Health Organization’s response to cervical cancer
in Latin America. The article summarizes what the PAHO recommends for treatment and
screening of cervical cancer as well as educational programs about the disease. This article was
used as a reference for different screening programs available in Latin America where cervical
cancer rates are very high.
Murillo, Raul, Maribel Almonte, Ana Pereira, Elena Ferrer, Oscar A. Gamboa, José Jerónimo,
and Eduardo Lazcano-Ponce. "Cervical Cancer Screening Programs in Latin America and the
Caribbean." Vaccine 26 (2008): L37-48. Print.
This article compares different types of screening programs used for detection of cervical cancer
in Latin America and the Caribbean. The authors concluded that following up with patients
consistently could help reduce the number of cervical cancer deaths. This article was used in a
course research project examining current screening, detection and treatment of cervical cancer
in Honduras.
Tuberculosis:
"Delays In Starting Antiretroviral Therapy In Patients With HIV-Associated Tuberculosis
Accessing Non-Integrated Clinical Services In A South African Township." BMC Infectious
Diseases 11.1 (2011): 258-266. Academic Search Elite. Web. 7 Apr. 2012.
This study looked at the time delay between starting treatment for TB and starting ART
in the Gugulethy township between 2002 and 2008. This article was used as a reference to
explain the relationship between HIV/AIDS and the current tuberculosis epidemic in South
Africa.
"Fact Sheet: Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR TB)." Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 20 June 2011. Web. 07 Apr. 2012.
<http://www.cdc.gov/tb/publications/factsheets/drtb/mdrtb.htm>.
This article is a fact sheet which defines and explains common questions about TB. For
example the article defines the different forms of TB including MDR TB and XDR TB. This
article was used as a scientific reference for the different strains of tuberculosis currently found
around the world.
"Guidlines for the Programmatic Management of Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis." World Health
Organization. 2011. Web. 7 Apr. 2012.
<http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2011/9789241501583_eng.pdf>.
This guide is the 2011 update with revision to the recommended protocol for treating
multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR TB). The WHO recommends that rapid drug

5. susceptibility testing (DST) be used to detect resistance to isoniazid and rifampicin. This article
was used to describe how the WHO is currently responding to multi-drug resistant tuberculosis.
Epidural Analgesia:
Lieberman, E., and C. Odonoghue. "Unintended Effects of Epidural Analgesia during Labor: A
Systematic Review." American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 186.5 (2002): S31-68.
Print.
This article found that a direct correlation between the use of an epidural during
childbirth and a cesarean delivery could not be made. The reason being that in many cases there
are other contributing factors which result in the necessity of a cesarean delivery. This article
was used to counter a research hypothesis that predicted that the use of epidural analgesia in
laboring women would result in a higher incidence of cesarean deliveries.
Menacker, Fay, and Brandy E. Hamilton. "Recent Trends in Cesarean Delivery in the United
States." Center for Disease Control. N.p., Mar. 2010. Web. 21 Sept. 2012.
<http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db35.pdf>.
This is a great resource for cesarean statistics and rates in the US. This article, published by the
CDC, breaks down the cesarean section rates by state, race and also by decade. This resource
was used on a research project surrounding the topic of epidural analgesia and different labor
outcomes.
"NIH News Release-Epidural Pain Relief During Labor Does Not Increase Chance of C-Section
- 08/09/2001." U.S National Library of Medicine. U.S. National Library of Medicine, n.d. Web.
25 Sept. 2012. <http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/aug2001/nichd-09.htm>.
This news release which was published by the NIH examined whether the use of epidurals
contributed to the need of a cesarean section and also whether it could cause complications in the
delivery. This study was used in a college research project on the subject of epidural analgesia
and labor outcomes.
Brancato, R., S. Church, and P. W. Stone. "A Meta-analysis of Passive Descent versus
Immediate Pushing in Nulliparous Women with Epidural Analgesia in the Second Stage of
Labor." National Institute for Health Research. University of York, n.d. Web. 26 Sept. 2012.
<http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/crdweb/ShowRecord.asp?LinkFrom=OAI>.
This article examined the topic of whether active labor or passive descent resulted in a reduction
of assisted vaginal deliveries. This article brings into question whether a laboring woman can
contribute to whether or not her delivery needs either forceps or vacuum suction to assist with

6. the delivery. This article was used for a college research project on the subject of labor
outcomes.
Lawrence A, Lewis L, Hofmeyr GJ, Dowswell T, Styles C. Maternal positions and mobility
during first stage labour. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2009, Issue 2. Art. No.:
CD003934. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003934.pub2
This article reviews whether birthing positions, particularly the supine, effect labor outcomes
such as length and whether a spontaneous vaginal delivery occurs. The authors bring up the
interesting point that the use of epidurals causes the woman to become immobile, which requires
the woman to labor in a lying down position. This article was used to help explain the
relationship between anatomy and birthing positions.
Liu, E. H., and A. T. Sia. "Rates of Caesarean Section and Instrumental Vaginal Delivery in
Nulliparous Women after Low Concentration Epidural Infusions or Opioid Analgesia:
Systematic Review." Centre for Reviews and Dissemination. NIH, n.d. Web. 26 Sept. 2012.
<http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/crdweb/ShowRecord.asp?LinkFrom=OAI>.
This article compared two types of epidurals; bupivacaine and parenteral opioid and examined
whether there was an increased risk of cesarean or assisted vaginal delivery between the two
epidural types. The study found that comparatively both had the similar rates of assisted
deliveries. This article was used for a college research project on the relationship between
epidural analgesia and labor outcomes.
Mayberry, L., D. Clemmens, and A. De. "Epidural Analgesia Side Effects, Co-interventions, and
Care of Women during Childbirth: A Systematic Review." American Journal of Obstetrics and
Gynecology 186.5 (2002): S81-93. Print.
This article reviews some of the lesser and more treatable symptoms associated with epidural
use. This article was used to provide information about how epidural analgesia affects the body
during labor.
Sugar:
"Is Fructose Bad For You?." Harvard Health Letter 32.7 (2007): 3. Academic Search Elite. Web.
31 Mar. 2012.
The article explains how the body breaks down and uses glucose and fructose differently.
The article also explains what the glycemic index is and how it is used. This article was used for
personal research as well as course research into the subject of how the human body uses sugar.
Gaby, Alan R. "Adverse Effects Of Dietary Fructose." Alternative Medicine Review 10.4
(2005): 294-306. Academic Search Elite. Web. 2 Apr. 2012.

7. This article is a review of current research which has been published on the effects of
fructose and other sugar sources on the body. This is a great reference tool because it details how
the body breaks down and utilizes fructose as compared to the processes used in the utilization of
glucose in the body. This article was used for a research project examining how sugar is used,
processed and stored in the human body.
Armando Aguirre-Jaime, et al. "Association Between Glycemic Index, Glycemic Load, And
Fructose With Insulin Resistance: The CDC Of The Canary Islands Study." European Journal Of
Nutrition 49.8 (2010): 505-512. Academic Search Elite. Web. 3 Apr. 2012.
This study was conducted on the Canary Islands with a randomly chosen sample group of 668
people who did not currently have diabetes. The aim of the study was to determine if there was
an association between insulin resistance and glycemic index and glycemic load. This article was
used in a research project examining how sugar is metabolized in the body.
Forensics:
Burns, Karen Ramey. Forensic Anthropology Training Manual. Upper Saddle River, NJ:
Prentice Hall, 1999.
This book details many functions, dysfunctions, marking and structures present in bones. This
article was used as a reference for a research project examining the skeletal evidence of
parturition on female pelvises.
Cox, Margaret, and Andrew Scott. Evaluation of the Obstetric Significance of Some Pelvic
Characters in an 18th Century British Sample of Known Parity Status. American Journal of
Physical Anthropology 89.4 (1992): 431-40.
This article examined skeletal remains of women with known parity status. The researchers used
a number of different markers to determine parity status and then compared them in order to see
which was more statistically accurate. This article was used for a forensic research project
examining the skeletal evidence of parturition and also the accuracy in determining this.
Houghton, Philip. The Relationship of the Pre-auricular Groove of the Ilium to
Pregnancy.American Journal of Physical Anthropology 41.3 (2005): 381-89.
This article examines skeletal remains exhibiting the pre-auricular sulcus which can be used as a
marker of parity status. This article was used for a research project on different skeletal markings
that may help to determine parity status of human remains.
Kelley, Marc A. Parturition and Pelvic Changes. American Journal of Physical
Anthropology 51.4 (1979): 541-45.
This article examined 5 different known markers of parity status. Researchers found that markers
of parity status can become obliterated with age and also they concluded that the pre-auricular

8. sulcus is the most accurate marker of parity status. This article was used for a research project on
the skeletal markers that may help to determine parity status.
Meyers Suchey, et al., Analysis of Dorsal Pitting in the 0s Pubis in an Extensive Sample of
Modern American Females. American Journal of Physical Anthropology 51.4 (2005).
This article examined dorsal pitting on the pubic bone in skeletal remains as a marker of parity
status. The article found that the dorsal pitting could be used in concordance with other markers
to determine parity status. This article was used in a research project surrounding the topic of
parity markers on female skeletal remains.
Tague, Robert G. Bone Resorption of the Pubis and Preauricular Area in Humans and Nonhuman
Mammals. American Journal of Physical Anthropology 76.2 (1988): 251-67.
This study examined both human remains as well as other non-human mammals such as mice.
This study examined the causes of bone resorption in the pubis and preauricular areas as they
relate to markers of parity status. This article was used for a research project in forensic
anthropology.