Thank you for reading the birth that started it all. Well sort of. But any how, Vera's birth showed me a whole new side to giving birth and revealed the true capability of my female power. I felt like I came into my own. At 28 and three kids later I was discovering the hidden element of motherhood. I found myself pretty much infatuated with birth. It was like I had been sitting around like firewood, curing and waiting. Then along came a red headed little Leo, a ball of fire blazing through me, and I sparked and began to rage with a new found passion.
Enter Phase 1 in the world of Birth: The eager puppy phase!
I was wide eyed with wonder. Passionately reading everything I could get my hands on. Continuously begging my midwife for me to learn from her. She was wise. Like a Jedi Master she would redirect my puppy enthusiasm. Go young padiwan and study Nutrition counseling. Birth Photography. Doula. But I kept coming back. For a year and 2 months she continued to test my interest and determination to become a birth worker. And then it happened. It was like Christmas in October. I was walking to class on a chilly, rainy day when Delphine called and asked if I wanted to join her team as a third. I stopped walking and asked her if she was teasing me, thinking she surely had to know my answer. I was told that I would start doing prenatals with her and her senior apprentice so that the families due at the beginning of the year would know me and I would then begin doing births as the third. The helper, the gopher. I was so excited. Finally.
Now on to the disclaimer.
The birth stories of other mothers are about to begin. I have changed all of the names and excluded all dates (unless a mother has approved ALL details to be shared) to protect the integrity of the families that have allowed me to be apart of such sacred events. Since all of these stories are real, you may come across a story that you know. Please DO NOT mention in the comments any identifying details about the family (ie. NAMES.) I thank you in advance for your cooperation in ensuring that these families maintain the utmost confidentiality.
And last but not least, this is a blog about an apprenticing midwife, therefore these stories will include my personal thoughts and actions. You will read through my critical thinking, my post observations, and follow my learning curve. Eventually I will create a page where I list statistics, but that is for a nice cold winter's day.
Read on.
Enter Phase 1 in the world of Birth: The eager puppy phase!
I was wide eyed with wonder. Passionately reading everything I could get my hands on. Continuously begging my midwife for me to learn from her. She was wise. Like a Jedi Master she would redirect my puppy enthusiasm. Go young padiwan and study Nutrition counseling. Birth Photography. Doula. But I kept coming back. For a year and 2 months she continued to test my interest and determination to become a birth worker. And then it happened. It was like Christmas in October. I was walking to class on a chilly, rainy day when Delphine called and asked if I wanted to join her team as a third. I stopped walking and asked her if she was teasing me, thinking she surely had to know my answer. I was told that I would start doing prenatals with her and her senior apprentice so that the families due at the beginning of the year would know me and I would then begin doing births as the third. The helper, the gopher. I was so excited. Finally.
Now on to the disclaimer.
The birth stories of other mothers are about to begin. I have changed all of the names and excluded all dates (unless a mother has approved ALL details to be shared) to protect the integrity of the families that have allowed me to be apart of such sacred events. Since all of these stories are real, you may come across a story that you know. Please DO NOT mention in the comments any identifying details about the family (ie. NAMES.) I thank you in advance for your cooperation in ensuring that these families maintain the utmost confidentiality.
And last but not least, this is a blog about an apprenticing midwife, therefore these stories will include my personal thoughts and actions. You will read through my critical thinking, my post observations, and follow my learning curve. Eventually I will create a page where I list statistics, but that is for a nice cold winter's day.
Read on.