Mother Rising http://www.motherrisingbirth.com Mon, 20 Feb 2012 21:08:29 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 The Tapestry of a Woman’s Heart http://www.motherrisingbirth.com/2012/02/the-tapestry-of-a-womans-heart.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-tapestry-of-a-womans-heart http://www.motherrisingbirth.com/2012/02/the-tapestry-of-a-womans-heart.html#comments Mon, 20 Feb 2012 21:08:29 +0000 Lindsey Morrow http://www.motherrisingbirth.com/?p=1280 When I became pregnant in March of 2011, I started spotting a week or so after I got a positive pregnancy test.  Since I was bleeding, I knew that a miscarriage was more likely and because of that, I tried to not get my hopes up.  When a miscarriage was confirmed, it was really tough, [...]]]> When I became pregnant in March of 2011, I started spotting a week or so after I got a positive pregnancy test.  Since I was bleeding, I knew that a miscarriage was more likely and because of that, I tried to not get my hopes up.  When a miscarriage was confirmed, it was really tough, but not completely devastating since I had seen the writing on the wall.  When I became pregnant again in July of 2011, I didn’t start spotting and I assumed that since I just had a miscarriage for sure this pregnancy would be ok.  It wasn’t ok.  Around 8-9 weeks along I was shocked to find out that the baby had died in the 7th week or so.  Shocked doesn’t really describe it… more like devastated, sorrowful, depressed, angry and sad.  I oh so wanted those babies.

I’ve noticed that as soon as I get pregnant I start weaving this elaborate and beautiful mental tapestry by intertwining my life with the pregnancy.  When I calculated my estimated due date I thought about what time of year that would be, if it would be hot or cold.  For my last two pregnancies I thought how interesting it would be to be pregnant and bundled up because it is cold outside.  ”Nobody would get to see my awesome baby bump!”, I thought to myself.  I thought of how fun it would be to be able to dress my baby in clothes because she’ll actually need them (when G was born it was blazing hot and he spent a lot of time in just a diaper)!   I mentally located my wraps and slings because it would finally be cool enough to use them postpartum.  I decided I was having a girl. I found out who would be pregnant at the same time as me and thought how nice it was to have a “buddy” to celebrate each stage with, and bemoan our nausea and aches together.  More so, our kids would be the same age and of course, they’d love to play together too.

I started calculating when I’d be out of each particular trimester, and at what point in the process I would likely stop wanting to barf.  I found myself shopping the maternity clothes clearance rack because the clothes on that rack would be in season when I actually needed them.  I organized my maternity clothes and removed the seasonal stuff that I wouldn’t wear for a year or two.  I thought about how long I would want to continue to work, and how long my maternity leave would be.  I started to tell G that he’ll have a brother or a sister, and we talked about names.

Then, the unthinkable happened.  My baby died and I realized that my new job would be to untangle all of the threads I had woven into my life.  Some threads were easy to untangle – it was easy to stop thinking about what baby things I already had or needed.  I threw away the calendar I wrote pregnancy milestones on, and mentally saved my girl names for the future.  However, some threads have been very tangled and even when I thought they’ve come loose, I was surprised to learn that I hadn’t fully unraveled my tapestry.  It was emotionally difficult to pull out my “skinny” winter clothes, knowing that this winter I would not need jeans with a belly panel.  The day I saw my pregnancy buddy’s beautiful baby belly as she neared her due month I was slapped with another round of mourning.  I wept and thought to myself, “I should have been pregnant with her!”  I was relieved when I couldn’t attend her baby shower because I had to work.

Ironically, working with women and their babies in the childbearing year has not been difficult to me post-miscarriage.  I have even attended births when I was still bleeding from my miscarriages.  And now, I realize that’s because I didn’t intertwine them in my tapestry.  They are my work, and I have woven them into a different tapestry altogether.  They are my work, my passion and what motivates me to dig deeper as a mentor and doula, but they are not woven in the tapestry that sits close to my heart.

Going forward, I wonder if there is a way for me to prevent this heartache if God forbid, I endure another miscarriage.  Can I protect my heart?  Can I minimize damage by simply weaving a smaller tapestry?  Or to postpone weaving altogether?  I have thought about this, and I have come to the conclusion that I cannot.  By weaving my heart’s tapestry I put my heart and my soul out to love.  I leave it vulnerable, but ready to love and to be hurt.  It is risky and scary to love, but love I must.  I was made to love and be loved and to protect myself would limit the profound love God has for me.  By protecting myself, my tapestry might become hard, unpliable and rough.

Despite the pain of last year, I have chosen to continue weaving a beautiful tapestry, loving throughout, as best as I can.

Love,

]]> http://www.motherrisingbirth.com/2012/02/the-tapestry-of-a-womans-heart.html/feed 18 Coconut Oil Increases Beneficial Properties in Human Breast Milk http://www.motherrisingbirth.com/2012/02/coconut-oil-increases-beneficial-properties-in-human-breast-milk.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=coconut-oil-increases-beneficial-properties-in-human-breast-milk http://www.motherrisingbirth.com/2012/02/coconut-oil-increases-beneficial-properties-in-human-breast-milk.html#comments Thu, 16 Feb 2012 12:49:41 +0000 Lindsey Morrow http://www.motherrisingbirth.com/?p=1270

I found this article in my inbox and I wanted to share with my readers.  Lately, I’ve been using my coconut oil as a moisturizer and have loved it.  It smells good and there aren’t any chemicals in it!  Come to find out, it’s good for breast milk too.  I typically buy my organic [...]]]>

I found this article in my inbox and I wanted to share with my readers.  Lately, I’ve been using my coconut oil as a moisturizer and have loved it.  It smells good and there aren’t any chemicals in it!  Come to find out, it’s good for breast milk too.  I typically buy my organic extra virgin unfiltered coconut oil on amazon.com so I can get the subscribe and save discounts.  Here’s a link for the brand I buy.  Read the short article below for more details on how to make your liquid gold, golden.

COCONUT OIL FOUND BENEFICIAL FOR LACTATING MOTHERS… By Cori Young

The unique composition of human breast milk fat includes the fatty acids, lauric acid and capric acid, which have potent antimicrobial properties. These fatty acids offer the nursing infant protection from viruses such as herpes and HIV, protozoa such as giardia lamblia, and bacteria such as chlamydia and heliocobater.

A study published in 1998 in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition has shown that lactating mothers who eat coconut oil and other coconut products, have significantly increased levels of lauric acid and capric acid in their breast milk. Thus, the milk supply has increased amounts of the protective antimicrobials , which will give even greater protection to the nursing infant.

Pregnant females store fat to assure successful lactation. Any lauric acid and capric acid in the diet becomes part of the adipose stores. The milk fat of a lactating mother is made up of these stores as well as her current diet. If her diet doesn’t contain lauric acid, then generally her milk fat will contain around 3% lauric acid and round 1% capric acid.

When a lactating woman adds foods rich in lauric acid to her diet, the amount of lauric acid available in her breastmilk increases substantially to levels three times the original level and nearly double the amount of capric acid. In countries where coconut oil is a diet staple, levels of lauric acid in the mother’s milk can be as high as 21% and capric acid can be as high as 6% giving her infant even more protection against viruses, bacteria, and protozoa.

Coconut oil can be used instead of butter in cooking and baking. You can stir it into oatmeal or even use it as a spread. Also, this oil’s antimicrobial properties are beneficial for the skin. Pregnant women in many cultures the world over rub cocnut oil on their expanding bellies to keep skin soft and prevent itching.

REFERENCES

Fife, Bruce. The Healing Miracles of Coconut Oil

Francois CA, Connor SL, Wander RC, Connor WE. Acute effects of dietary fatty acids on the fatty acids of human milk. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 1998;67:301-308.

Bach, A.C., et. al. 1989. Clinical and experimental effects of medium chain triglyceride based fat emulsions-a review. Clin. Nutr. 8:223

© Cori Young, 2004- Cori Young is an author and herbalist who publishes a line of health & wellness charts which can be seen at WellnessWallcharts.com

]]> http://www.motherrisingbirth.com/2012/02/coconut-oil-increases-beneficial-properties-in-human-breast-milk.html/feed 6 Ten Ways to Prepare for Birth http://www.motherrisingbirth.com/2012/02/ten-ways-to-prepare-for-birth.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=ten-ways-to-prepare-for-birth http://www.motherrisingbirth.com/2012/02/ten-ways-to-prepare-for-birth.html#comments Wed, 15 Feb 2012 14:43:21 +0000 Lindsey Morrow http://www.motherrisingbirth.com/?p=1264

Here is an amazing article you MUST read.  It’s entitled Ten Holistic Ways to Prepare for the Intensity of Birth written by Virginia Bobro of Birthing From Within.  The link is a pdf so you can easily print it out.  I know I’m going to print out copies of it for my childbirth classes.  Enjoy! [...]]]>

Here is an amazing article you MUST read.  It’s entitled Ten Holistic Ways to Prepare for the Intensity of Birth written by Virginia Bobro of Birthing From Within.  The link is a pdf so you can easily print it out.  I know I’m going to print out copies of it for my childbirth classes.  Enjoy!  (I think the universe decided it would be funny if I got a cold after I posted on Elderberries… Since I’m not feeling so hot, this is all you get today!)

]]> http://www.motherrisingbirth.com/2012/02/ten-ways-to-prepare-for-birth.html/feed 0 Natural Cold and Flu Remedy: Elderberry Syrup http://www.motherrisingbirth.com/2012/02/natural-cold-and-flu-remedy-elderberry-syrup.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=natural-cold-and-flu-remedy-elderberry-syrup http://www.motherrisingbirth.com/2012/02/natural-cold-and-flu-remedy-elderberry-syrup.html#comments Sun, 12 Feb 2012 23:34:13 +0000 Lindsey Morrow http://www.motherrisingbirth.com/?p=1247 “Elderberries are tasty flu fighters. They contain compounds that inhibit the enzyme flu viruses from penetrating our cell membranes and also prevent the virus from invading respiratory tract cells. Taken early enough, as a tea or tincture, you may be able to head off an upcoming illness before it becomes a full-blown flu. They are [...]]]> “Elderberries are tasty flu fighters. They contain compounds that inhibit the enzyme flu viruses from penetrating our cell membranes and also prevent the virus from invading respiratory tract cells. Taken early enough, as a tea or tincture, you may be able to head off an upcoming illness before it becomes a full-blown flu. They are especially good for bronchitis, colds, coughing, and influenza. Also contains substances that ease inflammation and pain and soothe the intestines, thus making them useful in all inflammatory bowel diseases. It is known to have a gentle laxative action, and their mild tonic action helps to arrest diarrhea.” ~Bulk Herb Store

I decided to make some elderberry syrup for my family to have on hand at the first sign of sniffles and as an overall immune booster.  I’m not big on pharmaceuticals, but when your little one is sick it’s so frustrating that there’s technically nothing you could give them except Tylenol.  As we all know, Tylenol does not help with sniffles.    My 2.5 year old has a cold right now, and it’s nice to be able to do something.  Below are the step by step instructions so you can do it too!

Elderberry Syrup

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup dried or 1 cup fresh elderberries (Locals: I bought my dried elderberries at New Leaf Market)
  • 3 cups of water
  • 1/2 cup honey

Step 1:  Pour elderberries and water in to a pot of water.  Bring to a boil.

Step 2:  Reduce heat to medium or medium low so that the berries are no longer boiling but simmering.  Keep on the stove for about an hour.  Notice how the water is evaporating – that’s what you want to have happen!  While the berries are simmering, stir occasionally and with a spoon mash berries on the side of the pot so that it gets really mixed up.

Step 3:  Carefully pour the liquid through a strainer into a glass jar.  Mash the strained berries to get all the liquid out and down into the jar.

Step 4:  Slowly pour the honey into the jar.  Since the berry liquid is hot the honey should mix easily.

Store the syrup in the refrigerator up to three months. Use daily for maximum benefit.  For Daily Maintenance: Adults: Take 2 teaspoons daily, Children: Take 1 teaspoon daily. For Intensive Use: Adults: Take 1 tablespoon four times daily, Children: Take 1 tablespoon two times daily.

]]> http://www.motherrisingbirth.com/2012/02/natural-cold-and-flu-remedy-elderberry-syrup.html/feed 4 North Florida Garden Planning http://www.motherrisingbirth.com/2012/02/north-florida-garden-planning.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=north-florida-garden-planning http://www.motherrisingbirth.com/2012/02/north-florida-garden-planning.html#comments Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:00:20 +0000 Lindsey Morrow http://www.motherrisingbirth.com/?p=1241 I am itching to plant!  This warm weather we’re having in North Florida is messing with everything.  We have trees blooming and pollen everywhere.  Since it’s technically not planting season, I have started to think about what sorts of herbs I would like to plant.  This isn’t easy to figure out for me because I [...]]]> I am itching to plant!  This warm weather we’re having in North Florida is messing with everything.  We have trees blooming and pollen everywhere.  Since it’s technically not planting season, I have started to think about what sorts of herbs I would like to plant.  This isn’t easy to figure out for me because I don’t have a good knowledge of plants, planting seasons, etc.  I really am at a loss, so if anybody has a good website/blog about planting things in North Florida let me know!  In the mean time, I thought the least I could do was get some ground ready for my future herbal garden.

I was either on pinterest or google image search last week and I saw this simple method of making a garden.  No tilling required!  All you do is get some cardboard, line the edges with stones to hold it down and then put dirt on top.  The cardboard is biodegradable so eventually it will decompose.  When I do want to plant deeper all I need to do is cut a hole in the cardboard below… and there will be no grass to get rid of since that’s what the cardboard is doing for me.   G and I had a fun time doing this project.  He was helping me shovel with his spoon.  What a cutie pie.

]]> http://www.motherrisingbirth.com/2012/02/north-florida-garden-planning.html/feed 0 How To Blanch and Flash Freeze Broccoli http://www.motherrisingbirth.com/2012/02/how-to-blanch-and-flash-freeze-broccoli.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-to-blanch-and-flash-freeze-broccoli http://www.motherrisingbirth.com/2012/02/how-to-blanch-and-flash-freeze-broccoli.html#comments Tue, 07 Feb 2012 01:57:32 +0000 Lindsey Morrow http://www.motherrisingbirth.com/?p=1210 You will get the most nutrition out of raw broccoli, however, if you have an abundant harvest or a generous neighbor like me, it is impossible to eat the amount of broccoli acquired before it goes bad. As Americans we have the luxury of a freezer to store food and by golly I want to [...]]]> You will get the most nutrition out of raw broccoli, however, if you have an abundant harvest or a generous neighbor like me, it is impossible to eat the amount of broccoli acquired before it goes bad. As Americans we have the luxury of a freezer to store food and by golly I want to learn how to take advantage of it! And today I have finally learned how to blanch something (I’ve dabbled in flash freezing before).  Below is a step by step tutorial on how to store broccoli in your freezer.

*Other than halting the ripening process and thus making your vegetables last a long time, blanching seals the color, nutrients and flavor of vegetables.

You will need:

  • Cutting board and knife
  • Broccoli
  • Large pot to boil water in (the pot I used was excessively big for what I was doing)
  • Slotted spoon
  • Bowl of ice water
  • Cooling racks and cookie sheets
  • Kitchen towels
  • Freezer bags and straw

Cut the stalks off of broccoli.  Split larger bunches or remaining broccoli so that they are no larger than an inch and a half (or so… don’t obsess about this).

In small batches, drop broccoli in boiling water.  Cover and let broccoli boil in the water for four minutes.  Quickly remove broccoli and immediately cool it off by submerging it in ice water.  (At minute three I started taking the broccoli out with my slotted spoon because by the time I got all the broccoli out it was well past four minutes)

Remove broccoli from ice water and place on cooling racks.  I like using cooling racks so that the broccoli “dries off” while the water drips off below.  I put towels underneath the racks to absorb the water so that my counters didn’t get soaked.

TO FLASH FREEZE: Place the broccoli on a cookie sheet or the cooling racks.  Spread out the broccoli so that when it freezes it won’t be stuck to too other broccoli. Place the racks and sheets in the freezer lying flat.  Leave them in the freezer for about 30-60 minutes – long enough to get frozen but not rock solid.

Remove broccoli from cookie sheets/cooling racks and package in Ziploc freezer bags.  Remove all the air in the bag by using a straw.

Proudly place your broccoli in the freezer and take a picture.

]]> http://www.motherrisingbirth.com/2012/02/how-to-blanch-and-flash-freeze-broccoli.html/feed 2 Winner Announced: My Brest Friend Extra Large Burp Cloths http://www.motherrisingbirth.com/2012/02/winner-announced-my-brest-friend-extra-large-burp-cloths.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=winner-announced-my-brest-friend-extra-large-burp-cloths http://www.motherrisingbirth.com/2012/02/winner-announced-my-brest-friend-extra-large-burp-cloths.html#comments Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:00:22 +0000 Lindsey Morrow http://www.motherrisingbirth.com/?p=1205 And the winner of the awesomely absorbent and versitile My Brest Friend Extra Large Burp Clothes is….

KIMBERLY!

Kimberly, I’m going to send you an email to get your information.

Thanks to all who entered the contest.  This was the first time I used Rafflecopter and I LOVED it on my end.  What did you [...]]]> And the winner of the awesomely absorbent and versitile My Brest Friend Extra Large Burp Clothes is….

KIMBERLY!

Kimberly, I’m going to send you an email to get your information.

Thanks to all who entered the contest.  This was the first time I used Rafflecopter and I LOVED it on my end.  What did you guys think?

]]> http://www.motherrisingbirth.com/2012/02/winner-announced-my-brest-friend-extra-large-burp-cloths.html/feed 0 Midwifery Assistant Workshop in Tallahassee! http://www.motherrisingbirth.com/2012/02/midwifery-assistant-workshop-in-tallahassee.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=midwifery-assistant-workshop-in-tallahassee http://www.motherrisingbirth.com/2012/02/midwifery-assistant-workshop-in-tallahassee.html#comments Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:13:07 +0000 Lindsey Morrow http://www.motherrisingbirth.com/?p=1197 I’m pleased to announce that the date and venue have been booked for the next Midwifery Assistant Workshop which will be held here in Tallahassee, FL.  Local midwives, look out, there’s going to be an influx of birth assistants.

March 2-4, 2012

Instructors:

Christina C. DiEno, LM, RM & [...]]]> I’m pleased to announce that the date and venue have been booked for the next Midwifery Assistant Workshop which will be held here in Tallahassee, FL.  Local midwives, look out, there’s going to be an influx of birth assistants.

March 2-4, 2012

Instructors:

Christina C. DiEno, LM, RM & Kerri Johnson, LM, CPM

A three day workshop for women who are attending or wish to attend out of hospital births with Licensed Midwives in the state of Florida.  Classes will be held Friday & Saturday 10am-5pm and Sunday 11am-2pm.  Limited enrollment.  Please contact cdieno@gmail.com to register.  Cost is $300.  Deadline for deposit of $50 for registration is February 20, 2012.  (send to: Christina DiEno, 103 Third St. St. Augustine, Fl. 32084)

This gathering will be held in a lovely private home in Tallahassee, Fla.
We will build a working Circle together and customize the class for the individual skill levels of the registrants.

At the completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1.  Demonstrate knowledge of the professional role and responsibilities of a Midwife Assistant.
2. Explore and develop the skills and information necessary to work as an assistant under the direct supervision of a LM/CPM in the state of Florida.
3.  Be able to respond appropriately to the needs of the midwife and the families she serves in regard to Florida FS 467 and the individual practice protocols of each midwife.
4. Have a realistic knowledge of what is expected of a midwife assistant in regards to personal time commitments, additional certifications, and communication skills necessary to  work effectively as a team member.

Course outline available by request. Information on logistics available with registration.

Here is a flier to print out: MW assist March 2012

Here is the facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/336330603073221/

]]> http://www.motherrisingbirth.com/2012/02/midwifery-assistant-workshop-in-tallahassee.html/feed 0 Do Doulas Attend Hospital Births? http://www.motherrisingbirth.com/2012/01/do-doulas-attend-hospital-births.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=do-doulas-attend-hospital-births http://www.motherrisingbirth.com/2012/01/do-doulas-attend-hospital-births.html#comments Wed, 01 Feb 2012 02:22:14 +0000 Lindsey Morrow http://www.motherrisingbirth.com/?p=1190 As a doula, do you mainly attend homebirths or do you go to hospital births as well?

I have had many people ask me the above question and I’m always a bit taken aback at the underlying assumption – doulas only attend homebirths.  It’s shocking to me for a few [...]]]> As a doula, do you mainly attend homebirths or do you go to hospital births as well?

I have had many people ask me the above question and I’m always a bit taken aback at the underlying assumption – doulas only attend homebirths.  It’s shocking to me for a few reasons.

  • Most women who hire me are planning a hospital birth… because most women who are planning a birth do so in a hospital!  It’s a numbers thing, really.
  • Women who birth in a hospital need an additional layer of support to help navigate hospital personnel, medical procedures and other protocol.  Doulas are especially needed in a hospital environment.
  • No two women who hire a doula are the same.  Each woman parents differently, has a different upbringing and socio-economic status.  Therefore, women who hire doulas are going to birth in different spaces and each woman needs support no matter where she births.
  • Hiring a doula is not just a “crunchy” thing to do.  Having effective support during birth has nothing to do with the “crunchiness” of the woman or her birth space.  Every woman needs support no matter where she births.

I hope that clears things up.

]]> http://www.motherrisingbirth.com/2012/01/do-doulas-attend-hospital-births.html/feed 1 Midwifery Assistant Training: Day 3 http://www.motherrisingbirth.com/2012/01/midwifery-assistant-training-day-3.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=midwifery-assistant-training-day-3 http://www.motherrisingbirth.com/2012/01/midwifery-assistant-training-day-3.html#comments Sun, 29 Jan 2012 21:14:19 +0000 Lindsey Morrow http://www.motherrisingbirth.com/?p=1152 On the third and final day of my midwifery assistant training weekend, I woke up early, got in my car and my plan was to go to a coffee shop for breakfast.   When I arrived in St. Augustine I GPS’d all the coffee shops nearby and decided to go to a cute sounding [...]]]> On the third and final day of my midwifery assistant training weekend, I woke up early, got in my car and my plan was to go to a coffee shop for breakfast.   When I arrived in St. Augustine I GPS’d all the coffee shops nearby and decided to go to a cute sounding local one.  As I was driving there, I looked to my left and saw this HUGE cross towering above this park-like place.  I had seen it before, and the place seemed to beckon me so I pulled over to the left, parked and decided to take a stroll.

Let me just say, I LOVE St. Augustine.  I love the old, old history there and all the silly touristy things you can do (Fountain of Youth, Ripley’s, etc.).  This old park had a church next to it, and an inlet/bay of sorts on the back of it.  To get to the actual park, you had to cross a walking bridge.  The photo above was taken as I was walking down on the other side of the bridge towards the park.  I had no idea what was in store for me.

Once I got to the huge cross, I saw a sign that said something about Lady of La Leche and then I remembered that I had heard about this place before!  This was the same place that my friend Stephanie had been to, right before she got pregnant with her daughter.  How cool!

I slowly meandered the path, taking pictures here and there and then I stumbled upon the chapel.  For some reason I was in complete awe, and shock.  I felt like the place I was standing on was holy and that I was brought here for some reason.  I stayed outside for awhile and took pictures and drank it all in (I also had to wait for the caretaker with breathe right nasal strips to finish cleaning the chapel and leave.  I COULD NOT go in there while he was in there breathing so well.)

Eventually, I walked in and really took in this beautiful little space.  The multitude of candles that were lit gave off such a pleasant warmth, it warmed my body and negated the chill in the stone building.  To my left and right were candles, and in front of me, small pews and kneelers.  At the front of the chapel was a shrine of Mary breastfeeding the baby Jesus.  It was truly a beautiful place.

I walked around a bit, spent some time figuring out how the whole candle thing worked, took some pictures and then I decided to pray.  I was hesitant at first to pray because I knew as soon as I did that I would start crying.  The intensity of being in a place I knew God took me to for a specific reason was very overwhelming.  I knew that it was another way God was showing me that I am on the right path… I mean, I stumbled upon a chapel dedicated to ”Our Lady of the Milk and Happy Delivery” for crying out loud!  How much more obvious does it get?

And so I prayed.  I knelt and prayed for a friend.  I prayed for myself, my fertility, myself as a mother, my health and my child(ren)’s health.  I asked for what I desperately wanted in Jesus’ name.  And then I slowly walked out.

Now, I am not Catholic and I don’t pray to saints – just to God in the name of Jesus.  Despite my lack of understanding of everything that the chapel stood for, God used that space to speak to me, to tell me that mothers and their children are extremely important.  Important enough that people hundreds of years ago to created a sacred space to honor all that they have done and continue to do.  Even the people of 1615 valued breast milk and happy deliveries, and therefore valued the women who helped other women achieve those outcomes.

As a birth worker, I get discouraged every so often.  I get overwhelmed at the needs to be taken care of, the change I want to see and by the physical exhaustion of the work.  I have a hard time juggling the needs of my family and what I do for a living.  I wonder why I am doing what I am doing, if I should be doing this while I am a mother, if it even matters, and if this is truly my calling – where I need to be.  This three day workshop/vacation/time away gave me clarity and I am very grateful for the time and space to see it.  As soon as your children are old enough to be away from you for a night or two, I strongly recommend getting away with other like-minded women and learning something while you do it.  Because we’re worth it!

Love,

 

 

 

 

 

PS – On our last day we covered the immediate postpartum.  It was really good.  Rebecca, I’m sorry you got cropped out of this last photo!  Blame it on Instagram.

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