To the midwives I know and have learned from, I thank you and celebrate your profession today!
Emma and Liam are wearing their pro-midwifery shirts that I made for them. Liam called it "the tshirt you made and think is soooo cool!" He may have rolled his eyes when he said it but I was laughing and missed it! I asked him to wear it for an important 'meet the midwives' event at the birth center and a photo shoot. He was a good sport but it may have had something to do with the strawberry shortcake and other yummy snacks at the event! Emma kept going into the green room, where she was born, and pointing to the tub asking to get in :-) I hope, in the future, Emma has the right to choose the care provider and where she wants to meet her baby for the first time, whether it is in a hopsital, birth center or at home with a trained professional. Currently, there is a proposed bill that would negatively impact midwifery as it is practiced in SC as well as independent birth centers like Carolina Community Maternity Center. For more information and ways to support SC midwives, please visit this link and be sure to sign the petition. http://www.supportscmidwives.com/
Knowing I could potentially write a novel about my midwifery care and our waterbirth experience at the birth center, I will share Emma's birth story another time and will attempt to be brief! Both of my children are incredible blessings. I have learned a lot from both of them by how they have changed my life and simply by who they are as individuals. I also view the empowering experience of Emma's birth as a gift as well because it taught me so many things about myself, the power of our bodies to teach our minds, the benefits of midwifery to the mother, baby, family and community and, the importance of protecting this time honored profession as it supports natural childbirth!
*** I share my personal experience but I realize that pregnancy, birth and parenting is like many aspects of life, personal and unique. What works for one person is not the right fit for everyone. We should strive to understand and respect each other's experiences, not as right or wrong, just as different. Each woman should explore her options and take an active role in the health of herself and her baby. Each woman should be supported during labor and birth with compassion and understanding. We can prepare for our babies but it is beyond our ability to know when and how they make their entrance into the world. This journey together can be a reminder of what we cannot control or change and how important it is to love ourselves and share that love with others!
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