Of Birth Work and Inspiration

 "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:5-6.

2 years ago I embarked on the journey of becoming a surrogate,  doula, and childbirth educator.  It was at a time when we were getting ready to lose our home in Cameron Park and be taken up the hill to what we have now come to know and love as Pollock Pines.  It was a tiny house and I did not know how I would make it work, but it has, beautifully.  As I come to the close of my studies and efforts towards certification, it is once again time to move on.  I believe we have accomplished what the Lord set out for us to do and new doors are opening for us to move forward.

My experience with the twins' birth shed great light on my work as a doula and childbirth educator.  I take forward with me new insight, knowledge, experience, compassion, and a greater understanding in helping women.  I only pray I can align myself with His will to serve in that capacity, that I may always be ready.

As I await the call from my twin mom who is due this month, I look towards buttoning up my DONA and IBWP certification, for hers will be my 3rd and final qualifying birth.  I am humbled by the way things have fallen into place, and the series of events, that are so divinely and intricately entwined in helping me to move forward.  Many of the course materials overlap and it has been a joy to work on both simultaneously, combined with the timing of my experiences.

They say birth work is a calling, not something one can choose, like a profession, and I see why it would be important to view it as such.  Attending births and teaching couples requires much mental, emotional, and physical energy that comes from none other than a spiritual level.  I wouldn't know how to do it otherwise.  Perhaps my biggest challenge has been taking something so personal as birth and making it professional.  While there is an element of professionalism in establishing a business, marketing yourself, and being legitimate with certification, perhaps it is not meant to be separated from the personal, for I believe it is our personal experience, convictions, intuition, and passion that make birth workers what they are.  One thing's for sure and that is that birth work, from attending births, to meeting couples for the first time, to teaching classes, takes a lot out of you which makes self-care and rejuvenation so important.  I always need at least a day of recovery after a birth.

I am grateful for the experiences that have been given me, and for the opportunity I've had to complete the work I've set out to do.  There have been some amazing people placed in my path and I feel the women I serve teach me just as much as I (hopefully) teach them.  I believe an integral part in the birth process, whether giving birth or serving in that capacity, is taking what you've learned and applying it as you move forward.  There are no "wrong" experiences, or "bad" choices (assuming they are informed and based on intuition,) and in my mind no regret to be had.  I wish to empower women to grow from their experiences and apply what they've learned to subsequent births, if applicable.  Birth is a learning process and no one gets it "right" the first time.  There is always room to grow and improve, and life lessons to be learned if one will listen.  I have come home from births completely mentally, emotionally, and physically exhausted, sometimes questioning if this is what I'm cut out to do, but after a good night's sleep (or two,) calling on my sisters from my collective, and having time to process, I feel I always come out stronger on the other side.  In the words of a wise student midwife and mentor, if I continue to "suit up and show up," I know the experiences and lessons that need to be had will come and I will move forward.  Here's to the change another year will bring.