Today, I was at the W.I.C. office, just sitting there minding my own business, not looking (ok maybe subconsciously) for a reason to undermine the medical establishment. When this sweet young woman looked right at me and said, "does it hurt to give birth?" It is so hard to answer that question but, I am really glad that she asked me. I sat and talked with her about natural birth, pain, water birth, epidural, freedom of movement, everything she wanted to know. Another older woman chimed in with her birth experience and even said that she would NEVER recommend an epidural to anyone. I think that we may have actually made an impact on this young woman! I did not ever reveal to either of them that I am a midwife. I really wanted her to hear me as a peer rather than an authority on the subject. I am so happy to have had this positive experience!
I have dreamed of starting a pregnancy support and information organization akin to places like the crisis pregnancy center, without the crisis part....and without any religious affiliation. I think that our community needs a natural family living center where families can get information on all things parenting and pregnancy. Now, if I could just come into that inheritance or that winning lottery number....
Friday, August 31, 2007
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Yikes! I've been tagged!
I was tagged by Laborpayne.
So now I am supposed to give all of you eight things you MAY not know about me!
Here are the rules for being tagged:
RULES - Post rules before giving the facts - Players start with eight random facts/habits about themselves - People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their eight things and post these rules - At the end of the your blog you need to tag six people and list their names - Leave them a comment on their blog, telling them they have been tagged and not to forget to read your blog.
Okay...here it goes.....in no particular order :)
1. I love to throw parties! I have several parties a year and a monthly pot luck. I really enjoy entertaining my friends but, mostly I love to cook for them!
2. I lived on a commune in southern Missouri called EastWind for 3 years. I loved it there. I am very tribal minded and still miss it form time to time.
3. I love to shop...shhhh
4. I birthed a child for another couple. We had a home birth and it was a really amazing experience. Several years later they called to ask me if I would do it again but, I was in the mist of school and apprenticeship. So, I declined. Then they asked if I would be willing to donate my eggs so that the Mom would have a chance to carry and birth a child. I said I would and she gave birth to a set of twin girls! We visit with each other at least once a year and they are like extended family.
5. I have a fetish for dreadlocks. I really wish I could keep some of my own.....
6. I am nervous and shy around new people. It really is true. When I first started doing prenatals during my apprenticeship, I would turn red in the face and break out in a sweat when I took FHT. lol.
7. I bite my nails. terrible habit. I have tried to stop many times.
8. I collect rocks, feathers, crystals and any interestingly shaped natural object. I have a pretty cool collection including some eagle feathers that were gifted to me by a Lakota medicine man on mothers day.
Now, it's my turn to tag 6 people. I want here 8 things from Pam, Stephanie, Alissa, Tara, Jessica, and the Navelgazing midwife.
So now I am supposed to give all of you eight things you MAY not know about me!
Here are the rules for being tagged:
RULES - Post rules before giving the facts - Players start with eight random facts/habits about themselves - People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their eight things and post these rules - At the end of the your blog you need to tag six people and list their names - Leave them a comment on their blog, telling them they have been tagged and not to forget to read your blog.
Okay...here it goes.....in no particular order :)
1. I love to throw parties! I have several parties a year and a monthly pot luck. I really enjoy entertaining my friends but, mostly I love to cook for them!
2. I lived on a commune in southern Missouri called EastWind for 3 years. I loved it there. I am very tribal minded and still miss it form time to time.
3. I love to shop...shhhh
4. I birthed a child for another couple. We had a home birth and it was a really amazing experience. Several years later they called to ask me if I would do it again but, I was in the mist of school and apprenticeship. So, I declined. Then they asked if I would be willing to donate my eggs so that the Mom would have a chance to carry and birth a child. I said I would and she gave birth to a set of twin girls! We visit with each other at least once a year and they are like extended family.
5. I have a fetish for dreadlocks. I really wish I could keep some of my own.....
6. I am nervous and shy around new people. It really is true. When I first started doing prenatals during my apprenticeship, I would turn red in the face and break out in a sweat when I took FHT. lol.
7. I bite my nails. terrible habit. I have tried to stop many times.
8. I collect rocks, feathers, crystals and any interestingly shaped natural object. I have a pretty cool collection including some eagle feathers that were gifted to me by a Lakota medicine man on mothers day.
Now, it's my turn to tag 6 people. I want here 8 things from Pam, Stephanie, Alissa, Tara, Jessica, and the Navelgazing midwife.
Monday, August 6, 2007
First time Moms
Why do most doctors and midwives fear the first time Mom so much? I'll tell you why...it's because they assume that they can't give birth. They assume that their bodies are flawed and they need these new mothers to prove their pelvis. Just typing that sounds funny. You know if we put their uterus in a court of law, it would be the courts burden to prove the uterus unfit. So why, oh why, do we have the burden of proving our uterus is normal, useful and capable of giving birth to doctors? At what point did these medical professions become the judge, jury, and executioners of womens bodies?
I have talked to many first time Moms about birth. I have attended many births of first time mothers and I just love it! It is really wonderful to see a woman empowered by birth! First time moms are excellent home birth candidates because they don't need the deprogramming that most previous hospital birthers need. Experiencing a birth for the first time is an amazing experience and being a part of that energy is such a blessing!
I have talked to many first time Moms about birth. I have attended many births of first time mothers and I just love it! It is really wonderful to see a woman empowered by birth! First time moms are excellent home birth candidates because they don't need the deprogramming that most previous hospital birthers need. Experiencing a birth for the first time is an amazing experience and being a part of that energy is such a blessing!
Sunday, August 5, 2007
And yet another fabulous question
Another Blog read asked "Are you a lay midwife or a CPM and where did you study"
I am a lay midwife. I did a traditional apprenticeship with a Senior midwife in my area. In the state in which I reside midwives are unregulated so the CPM certification is of no legal use. I have considered the NARM certification route but, decided to stick with what I believe in which is lay midwifery. Birth is not a medical event, it is a normal, natural, life experience that should be treated as such. It used to be that the grandmas, aunts, sisters and friends would gather around the laboring woman and lend her strength during her birth. These more experienced women would midwife for other women in their tribes or villages. It was an art and a duty for them. I want to bring back this feeling of sisterhood into birth. I am trying very hard to educate women about the normalcy of birth and do not see myself as an authority figure or a "professional". Rather, I see myself as a friend, a sister... an artist.
I am a lay midwife. I did a traditional apprenticeship with a Senior midwife in my area. In the state in which I reside midwives are unregulated so the CPM certification is of no legal use. I have considered the NARM certification route but, decided to stick with what I believe in which is lay midwifery. Birth is not a medical event, it is a normal, natural, life experience that should be treated as such. It used to be that the grandmas, aunts, sisters and friends would gather around the laboring woman and lend her strength during her birth. These more experienced women would midwife for other women in their tribes or villages. It was an art and a duty for them. I want to bring back this feeling of sisterhood into birth. I am trying very hard to educate women about the normalcy of birth and do not see myself as an authority figure or a "professional". Rather, I see myself as a friend, a sister... an artist.
Friday, August 3, 2007
Answer to a comment
Dawn asked if I ever "Deliver" in a hospital. I have 2 answers to that question. First, no I do not work in a hospital. I am strictly a home birth midwife. I have entertained the thought of becoming a CNM but, after soul searching I finally decided that I would never be able to work in that environment with a clear conscious.
I want to address another part of your question which is the word "deliver". I want to make clear that I do not "deliver" babies, I catch them. Let us take a look at the definition of the word deliver (from the Merriam-Websters Dictionary) Deliver (verb) 1 : to set free. 2 a : to take and hand over to or leave for another: b. to hand over, surrender. To use this word would suggest that I am freeing the baby from it's mother or vise versa. I do not feel that I am doing anything but keeping the baby from hitting the floor. Also, to say a woman is delivering a baby suggests that she is being freed from some sort of bondage. I view birth as an empowering experience, not as a form of bondage from which a woman needs to be set free.
I am trying to embrace a new view of birth as an empowering and enjoyable experience therefore, I choose to change my words to be more respectful of my families and their births.
So, I catch babies not deliver them and a mother births a baby, she does not deliver a baby. Just say it a few times and you will see how profoundly it will change your perception. Thanks so much for your question! I love being given something to talk about. This blogging thing is a little hard for me.
I want to address another part of your question which is the word "deliver". I want to make clear that I do not "deliver" babies, I catch them. Let us take a look at the definition of the word deliver (from the Merriam-Websters Dictionary) Deliver (verb) 1 : to set free. 2 a : to take and hand over to or leave for another: b. to hand over, surrender. To use this word would suggest that I am freeing the baby from it's mother or vise versa. I do not feel that I am doing anything but keeping the baby from hitting the floor. Also, to say a woman is delivering a baby suggests that she is being freed from some sort of bondage. I view birth as an empowering experience, not as a form of bondage from which a woman needs to be set free.
I am trying to embrace a new view of birth as an empowering and enjoyable experience therefore, I choose to change my words to be more respectful of my families and their births.
So, I catch babies not deliver them and a mother births a baby, she does not deliver a baby. Just say it a few times and you will see how profoundly it will change your perception. Thanks so much for your question! I love being given something to talk about. This blogging thing is a little hard for me.
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