My Path to Midwifery

The story is long. How much detail can I remember at the moment? I may need to come back and revisit this. Is anyone reading this blog?

I had always planned to become a doctor. My feminist mother had no tolerance for traditional women’s roles of teacher, secretary or nurse. If I was interested in medicine, I needed to be the one in charge - not taking orders from others. At some point around the age of 11 or 12 - I truly cannot remember the pivotal moment - I learned about midwifery. I thought, “AHA! This is it! Treating others with appropriate and respectful care? Coming alongside families and communities to work within a partnership?” THIS was how I wanted it to be.

Becoming a midwife was not even an option at that time. It was not widely accepted and my mother needed me to attend a traditional 4 year college. I had to do that for her. So many other things in her life had broken her heart and disappointed her; I wouldn’t let that be me, if I could help it. Besides, the doctors’ groups had so effectively maligned and eliminated midwives from society that finding educational programs was difficult, and in many areas the practice was still illegal.

In college I fell in love, married him and became a full-time stay at home mother. Taking care of my family for many many years was my “happy place”, My kids were the most amazing humans I had ever met. Raising them, teaching them and sharing life with them filled my soul. I could not and would not leave them to pursue anything else. It was difficult at times to not have the freedom to pursue outside (aka professional) interests, but being the kind of mother I wanted to be required all of my attention, energy and focus.

I did step into birthwork in 1996 when my dear friend and mentor suggested I enroll in a local hospital’s doula training program. That was marvelous and gave me an “in” to begin supporting families during birth. As my kids got older I could work more without feeling like I was cheating them. Once our youngest son headed off to college, it was finally time that I could start my midwifery education!

Now in my fourth year with a MEAC accredited school, I hope to graduate sometime next year. God willing, I will become a CPM and serve families who desire out of hospital birth. We have a growing community of OOH birth providers in our area. Midwives, physicians, students, doulas, chiropractors, consultants and therapists are networking to be able to provide wholistic and supportive care to all families. I feel blessed to be working in this field after my kids have outgrown my involvement in their daily lives.

They are never outside my field of view. I see them in the young mothers and fathers of today. I see them in every moment of joy and wonder. I see them in the sweet faces and precious cries of new babies. My kids are still my greatest joy - as well as the people I meet in this work. And, by the way, I am okay with not necessarily being the one “in charge”. I have devoted my life to being a full-time wife and mother. I’ve worked as a secretary, teacher and “nurse” of sorts. My mom has been gone for 14+ years. I know in my heart that she is satisfied with me. And I miss her…