03/31/2020
To all those who are just finding out they are pregnant or about to give birth or some where in between. You have got this! Listen to your body listen to your baby. These days may be crazy, filled with anxiety and fear. Just know your supported, your loved, your space is held.
Although your doula may not be at the hospital with you they can hold space in other ways. We are here for you.
Among the anxiety and fear there is a beautiful time in your families lives. Take a moment and feel the Bliss. Enjoy those moments.
Folks, This. Is. Big. Today, something HUGE happened. Our first baby was born in our Salem location! But it wasn't just any baby. It was a really special baby. Read on.
Last week, a scared family called pleading their case for a late transfer. They were 39 weeks. Could I possibly take them? Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, they feared for their safety. They feared being separated during birth from each other. They feared being exposed. Of course they could come.
We performed their intake over the phone. All of their prior records were gathered. Risk assessments were done. Insurance benefits were secured. We set a time for her regular visit for a week later, although that date never came. It took us collectively several hours, but we got it all done. Because, you know, the baby could come at any time.
And she did. This baby came quick. Her Mama called this morning. Contractions were coming pretty fast. We had better gather soon. She spoke softly, this woman I had never met in person. I was nervous- would she like the center? Would she like us as midwives? Blind faith in all it's glory. Well, we were going to find out.
We all convene at the new center. We fill my huge new Cadillac tub, as I lovingly call it. Quietly, they labor together. We exchange pleasantries. Food and drinks and comfort measures are offered. It's just like any other birth we attend. Except we are all basically strangers. Slowly, the breathing changes to a slight catch and I hear the inevitable bearing down noises.
Her water breaks. She hasn't really pushed at all, quite frankly. And in one fell swoop, out comes the entire head. And then the baby, wrapped tightly in her cord. 4 entire loops- 3 around the neck and one around the body. Round and round the cord comes, and this sweet baby girl is handed to her mother.
The baby girl cries. Well, we all cry a little.
You see, today is so much bigger than a baby coming. Today is about gathering together as a community. Today we remembered that helping people is more important than anything else we can do. Today my gift to humanity is safety in my humble centers. Today the respite of sickness can be found in our uncrowded space, well cleaned and safety kept from outside people. The hard work of my family and friends and incredible staff over the last year and a half is well worth every sweaty and stressful minute. To this family, all our work meant that they were safe. And to them, that was priceless. Being the first family to birth here wasn't by accident; the Universe always gives you what you need.
This is not a time to be timid. This isn't a time to be choosy about who comes into care and when. It's not a time to be worried about whose insurance will cover what or if contracts are in place. It's not about keeping the practice size small and intimate, or about our own lack of sleep as we feel sorry for ourselves. It's not about who we get to know or who we don't.
It just can't be about any of those things. They matter so little right now.
It's about making safe space.
I can't keep obsessing about getting sick or even about keeping myself away from this awful, dreaded virus. I'm doing the best I can to stay safe. This isn't about me- we are all in this together. This is about everyone. If there is one thing that my firefighting taught me is that disaster management is more than just looking good in the turnout gear. Organizing, mobilizing, and fighting on the front lines is where I'm going to be. In the face of danger, someone has to stand up and be strong.
This is a time to be called to action. There is no room for fear.
