Births

Ok, so it has become apparent to me that there is no way for me to write about each birth I've attended. They have been happening too frequently and I've got way too much other stuff going on to keep up with them all. So in summary, since I started apprenticing at the Sage Femme birth center in Oct there was 1 birth, November there were 2, December there were 5 and in january so far there have been 5 making a total of 13 births. When that's added to the 14 from my LA apprenticeship, I've been to a total of 27 births =)

I have learned so much in the last 3 months at the birth center. From the births themselves to the pre/postnatal appointments and classes that I've sat in on. My skills have been improving and I'm slowly being given more responsibilities. Drawing more blood, doing the forms for lab work, discussing prenatal issues and procedures, and being involved in the decision making process during births. I am feeling much more confident in my understanding of birth and all the variables that play a part.

I have had the unfortunate yet fortunate opportunity to assist in resuscitations of newborns. While it is hard when it is needed, I am very grateful for the experience. Also grateful that of the 2 babies I helped Judi resuscitate at the birth center, both of them are doing great. =) I have also had a few experiences where we needed to transfer to the hospital and where I was presented with very challenging situations. I have been tested to be strong for parents when every cell in my body wanted to cry and collapse. To try and guide them through each experience, emergency and intervention with hope, clarity and faith.

I am grateful for those experiences too. Even more grateful though that each of those babies and mothers are healthy and happy now. There was one case where I really wasn't sure if the baby was going to come around. We were at the hospital and the pediatric team was working on him to try and help him breath, and for 30 minutes I saw no movements, heard no sounds coming from this little boy. Eventually he came around, but with the potential to have some brain damage. After a new treatment to help heal him he was able to go home after a week. I haven't seen him out of the hospital yet and I can't wait to hear his little voice and see his face without any tubes helping him breath.

Even with these challenging births I have not been swayed or scared away from this new path I've chosen. The world needs more skilled birth workers who understand birth and mothers and babies. Who can help them come into this world with as much love and peace as possible. So it seems for each challenging birth, there are twice as many, if not more, easier births, which are like a therapy of their own. Like when the babe is not even fully born and already starts to cry out. Its the most beautiful sound.

All these new experiences have driven me to study even harder. And it is really satisfying to read what was once confusing or intimidating and have a better understanding of it. I still have a long way to go, but it feels so good that everything feels like its falling into place. It's also very satisfying to see a smirk of pride on Judi's face as she walks past me doing a something right on my own. I was talking to a mom about breast feeding, and as Judi passed by she heard me saying passionately to the mom "Each breast is different, each nipple is different, each baby is different,... so learning how to breastfeed can be challenging, but it is possible and we will help you learn how to!"

Lastly I am so fortunate that Simon is so supportive and understanding. He's always there when I need him, willing to listen and offer a shoulder to cry on if I need it. Or if i've just learned something and have to share it, so long as its not too gross =)

So thats the update for now. =) life is so precious.