One month!

One month until I start school. One month, people. It feels like it's been coming for ages! My new adventure awaits!

Why did I choose midwifery? It's all, "Boil some water and get some clean towels. You, lay down in the hay and bite on this stick!" right?

Well, no. Not really.

First misconception: midwives are strictly used in home births. Not anymore! More and more hospitals are staffing midwives and opening alternative birthing centers. My hope is to work in a hospital setting for a few years (after I get my nursing degree, during my midwifery studies) before starting or being part of an off-site birthing clinic.

Second misconception: midwives are old witchy ladies who bring a stick for you to bite and not much else. No way! Midwives are trained professionals. They have an array of tools in their arsenal, and plenty of knowledge in emergency situations. Even at a home birth!

Third misconception: midwives aren't as fully trained as doctors and are dangerous. No, no, no! Midwives cannot perform cesarean births, that's true. But midwives can typically prevent them in the first place! This study compared births at an alternative birthing center to births in a hospital setting. There were no more maternal deaths in the midwifery clinic than in the hospital. Neonatal ICU admissions for both were similar. But midwife care had a greater number of vaginal (vs cesarean) deliveries, and a lower instance of epidural use. For low-risk women, there were less "technical" interventions (epidural, augmentation) at the birthing center than at the hospital. And in quite a few cases, those "technical" interventions snowball, one after another, right in to cesarean births.

So midwifery is good, yes? I believe so. Yes I do.

My first memory involving pregnancy was visiting my eight-months-pregnant aunt when I was seven or so. She showed me her belly and explained where the baby was. She let me touch her belly and I remember so clearly thinking, "Wow, it's not soft like I thought it would be. It's like there's a basketball in her tummy!"

That moment sparked my fascination with pregnancy and childbirth.

I thought being a doula would assuge that thirst for knowledge and allow me to serve and uplift women as best I could. Well, it has, but at the same time... I know I can do more. I have the brains and the compassion to do this. I have the passion to take this love of women and desire to help them succeed and push myself to the next level.

I want to heal the birth experience in this country. I want labor and birth to be a loving, safe, beautiful experience. I want women to get in touch with their strength and power - strength most don't know they posess! - and create an environment of their choosing to bring their children into this world. I want women to get involved in the process, empowering themselves and their families.

I can do this. One month more month and there's no looking back!

Kerfuffle!

There was a bit of a kerfuffle regarding my financial aid. Ooh, the panicking that ensued!

Apparently I didn't take an online credit responsibility test for my loans? I swear, I've never heard of such a thing. Then again, the last time I was in college - a decade ago - I paid for my two classes out of pocket. The letter offered me work study and about $450 in state needs grants. I couldn't even imagine working full time, taking 16 credits, and doing work study to cover my tuition. Panic!

Everything is taken care of now, hopefully!

I'm waiting on a new letter letting me know the amount they'll cover. Then there's a 30 day wait after the first day of school before they disburse checks. School starts in just about a month. I'm hoping we can scrape together enough to buy books at least. Getting a laptop can wait, I think.

In other news, we picked up an old roll-top desk from my mother. You know, for studying purposes. It's slowly coming together. Pens, desk calendar, day planner, highlighters, notebooks... All that's missing right now is a desk lamp and, oh yeah, a chair might be nice! :D In the immortal words of Tim Gunn, we'll "make it work!"

I'm so excited! C'mon, September!

you're a... what now?

What is a doula?

Whenever I drop the word "doula" casually into a conversation, it's usually followed by a blank stare.

A doula is, generally, a labor coach. The word "doula" comes from old timey Greek, meaning "woman who serves" and was a slave who helped the lady of the house through childbearing and birth. These days a doula is generally the same, minus the slave bit.

There are actually two types of doula. A birth or labor doula is a woman who will sit with you while you try to tear her arm off in the middle of labor and try to beat her to death with it. AND she will usually smile and encourage you to do it, if it helps. A postpartum doula is a little different. This woman will come into your house, help with meals and chores and childcare while you get a chance to bond with your newest addition. Some women are trained in both labor and postpartum care.

What are the benefits of hiring a doula?

A doula is a woman experineced in childbirth who will provide you with continuous support through out your labor - physical, emotional, and informational. According to the book Mothering the Mother, by Kennell, Klaus, and Kennell, studies have shown women who choose to have a doula present at their births may benefit in the following ways:

50% reduction in cesarean rates
25% shorter labor
40% reduction in the use of oxytocin (pitocin)
60% reduction in epidural requests
40% reduction in forceps delivery
30% reduction in the use of pain medications

If you want to try a natural labor, a doula is a must! She will be your advocate, your coach, your gopher, your personal masseuse. She will be the one with your birth plan in hand, helping you follow it to the best of your ability. What she will not do is take the place of your significant other. In fact, doulas are trained to get your partner more involved, if that's your wish!

But I want an epidural! Can I still hire a doula?

For sure!

Most doulas will support you, no matter what you include in your birth plan! The only catch, for me at least, is that you know the risks and benefits of each intervention before you go into labor.

All right, but how much is this going to cost me?

Depending on where you live, the rate could be anywhere from $200 to $700. Some doulas will accept payment on a sliding scale. If you can find a doula student, she may offer her services for free, just for the experience!

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I love being a doula. I love the idea of helping women acheive their dream births. It's empowering, and life altering, and sacred. Unfortunately, working full time and going to school full time means I won't been able to support women like I'd like to. But it's all for the better good, my dears.

Next up... Some personal info about yours truly!

Nice to meet you!

My name is Katrina. I'm a certified labor doula through Childbirth International.

My birthday this year will mark the beginning of a brand new journey. I'll be starting school all over again, at the age of twenty-nine.

I'm going to be a certified nurse midwife.

I can hear the questions now! Why a midwife? What's a doula? Where are my pants?

There will be answers, I promise! For now though...

Nice to meet you!