For our latest prenatal appointment, Chris and I waited patiently in the
one of the rooms in the Birth Center for the midwife to come in. While we were waiting, one of the midwife assistants was checking my blood pressure, fetal position, fetal heart rate, my weight, and every other routine thing required at a prenatal visit. As a side note, this is where we have our prenatal visits every week:
There are two other rooms similar to this. These are the birth center rooms, and all the prenatal visits are done in these rooms so you can become comfortable and familiar with them should you desire to have your baby at
the birth center.
A few minutes later, the midwife walked in with a big smile on her face, "Hey, can I join this party?" She made a beeline over to me and gave me a big hug. "I'm so happy I get to check up on you this week! It's so good to see you!" This midwife is one of the most happy and bubbly people I have ever met. She told me it was because she gets to witness miracles almost on a daily basis with every birth she attends, I just think it's because she's genuine. We continued talking, much of it had to do with final questions about the birth as we get closer to the due date; she wanted to make sure we were as prepared as possible. The rest of the time, however, we just talked. She got to know us better, and we got to know her better. And I loved it. 45 minutes later, she stole one more big hug from me, and we were on our way. I am actually quite excited that I get to share my birthing experience with her.
This is one thing I have noticed about all my midwife visits (and I have visited with 5 different ones), they spend time getting to know you. They want you to have the most comfortable birth possible, which includes birthing in the presence of someone you are comfortable with. This goal, however, goes beyond comfort, I have become
friends with them. In fact, I still keep in contact with my first midwife,
Heather, who saw me while we were still in Provo. She attended
my blessingway, and even let us have it at her
birth center.
I got some great birthing gifts from her, and she told me to let her know if she can still help with the birth at all! These midwives have shown me that they strive to reach to you beyond your normal business relationship... it is a support system, a friendship, a sisterhood.
Even though my birth philosophy may not be the typical, socially accepted American model of birthing, I have been fortunate enough to discover an enormous support system of other midwives, doulas, childbirth educators, birth assistants, lactation consultants, and even other mothers who share my birthing philosophy. All are eager to help and ready to connect with you and your beliefs. One main testimony of this comes from my experience with my midwives, my childbirth educators, my doula, and my placenta encapsulator who all informed me that if money was an issue, they were willing to work around the cost because money is not why they work. They do what they do because they believe in it.
That type of business is rare these days, which makes me want to stay connected to it even more. This entire pregnancy has been a real eye opener to all the wonderful women out there who are so ready to support other mothers, which is exactly the reassurance that pregnant moms need...
What an experience this pregnancy has been. Sad to say that it's almost over, but I'm so excited to meet my little man, and to continue connecting with other moms through my own experiences.
