Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Heeding the Call

The Midwife, Loren Entz
(source)
"We ask them questions about their sex lives, eat their food, feel inside their bodies, snoop around their houses, drink champagne at all hours, and best of all, we get to catch delicious little naked, wet babies. What I can’t figure out is, why doesn’t everyone want to be a midwife?” ~ Peggy Vincent,
Baby Catcher: Chronicles of a Modern Midwife

As far back as I can remember birth has been something that has held my fascination. It has evolved from childish curiousity, to a fear of pregnant people, and, finally, to recognition that the human body is an incredible work of art capable of the seemingly impossible.

I was fortunate to be raised in a family where birth was normalized. The female body was created to carry and deliver babies and do it well. There was no fear in childbirth. Now, at an age where it seems I am surrounded by pregnant women or recently delivered babies, I have come full circle where I not only have no fear of the childbirth process, but want to be wholly involved in it.

The plan had always been for me to pursue my Master's degree, but through research, books, and conversations with people near and dear to me over the last couple years, I have realized my calling is not to counsel in the manner I had always pursued. My deepest desire is to educate and empower women to have the births they deserve and assist them during that sacred time. I am so excited to start down this path and am blessed to have had many affirmations along the way that this is the right course for my life.

This fall I will start checking off my prerequisites in order to pursue a Master of Science in Midwifery at Bastyr University next fall. The six college courses include College Algebra, Biology, Microbiology, Anatomy & Physiology I & II, and chemistry - courses I took in high school, but have passed their expiration date so to speak.

In addition to bolstering my college transcript, I will take attend a Labor Doula workshop and a Childbirth Educator workshop (two separate workshops). My sweet friend wants me with her when she delivers this winter/spring, so I want to have my Doula training done before then so I can be of the best service to her. (I am so honored to be asked to be with her - it will be a first for both of us.)

Doors are opening and I'm delighted to have this opportunity. I am looking forward to following in the footsteps of great midwives who have gone before me and am excited for the opportunities and adventures that are sure to follow such a calling. 

4 comments:

Carly said...

DUUUUUDE!!! congrats, this is awesome and i fully support you. :)

Arly said...

Nike, that's great!! I, too, would love to do that. How exciting!

Newcomer Family said...

I thought I would hop over to your blog and take a look at what you were writing. This news you have shared is so exciting. From personal experience I feel that women need to be educated on the options they have regarding the birthing experience. To be encouraged, and trust that the body can do amazing things. I know my babies were born healthy and safe, both via c-section. However, I still feel like I missed out on something because I was too passive and did not explore another doctor's opinion.
I completely support you and will pray for you as you venture down this road. You are going to change lives and impact the women and families you work with.

Newcomer Family said...

I thought I would hop over to your blog and take a look at what you were writing. This news you have shared is so exciting. From personal experience I feel that women need to be educated on the options they have regarding the birthing experience. To be encouraged, and trust that the body can do amazing things. I know my babies were born healthy and safe, both via c-section. However, I still feel like I missed out on something because I was too passive and did not explore another doctor's opinion.
I completely support you and will pray for you as you venture down this road. You are going to change lives and impact the women and families you work with.