I was trained to be a lawyer and a librarian. Both of these are worthy jobs. About 11 years ago I allowed myself to answer the question: “If I could do anything I wanted to do, what would I choose?” I became fascinated with birth. Once I started to support women in labor, even before I had my own birth, I just enjoyed it so much. I looked forward to going to births and was proud and excited that women paid me to support them. It didn’t seem like work…
Of course, laboring with a mother is a lot of work. I have sweated with mothers, moaned with them, prayed for them and with them, walked endless hospital corridors with them. Sometimes I went for days without sleep. Sometimes I couldn’t eat for more than a day. Sometimes I have worried and sometimes I have felt unappreciated. Yes indeed, it is work to birth a baby. Hard work!
But I love it! Sometimes when I have helped a mom get into her birth groove and made sure that she felt supported, I have been surprised when the baby was born! As I help a mother live in the moment, I also live in the moment. Finally, after all the work, a beautiful baby is born. The mom can’t believe she has done it! She is a hero to her husband. Her husband, the new dad, gets to hold his small miracle. Breastfeeding begins.
Some mothers tell me they couldn’t have done it without me. Sometimes the tears of joy in her eyes let me know how she feels. She has birthed her baby! A new chapter in her life begins. That’s when I feel so blessed. She has allowed me into this beautiful moment. I was able to see it and help her with it. Another life begins. What could be more fun than that?
Tags: Joy of Birth