A few years ago, I wrote about why I am a midwife. Please look it over if you haven't read it before. Now that it's been a few years, I thought I would revisit my reasons for being a midwife.
My reasons haven't changed. Every woman should be treated with dignity, respect and kindness. Every woman should receive evidence based care. Every woman should be encouraged to take an active role in her care. I am still driven to do what I can to ensure no mother goes through the situation my sister had. While what happened was scary and dangerous, what stands out to me is how she was treated by her medical providers. She was left bleeding in the ER waiting room instead of receiving timely care. The words providers used when speaking to her made her feel she was being accused of intentionally doing something to cause the postpartum hemorrhage instead of acknowledging that this was an emergency situation that she had no control over. She was given outdated information about breastfeeding. She was separated from her newborn for days as she recovered. There are so many things about her care that I see as inappropriate and detrimental.
The biggest reason I became a midwife is because the fastest way to change how Mothers are cared for is to become the provider. I've been a midwife for over 4 years now. I truly love the work I do. I continue to be amazed by the beauty of pregnancy and birth. I continue to be amazed by how strong Moms are. I delight in learning more to provide the best care I can and to support Moms and babies well. I love providing the care that I feel every woman should receive, treating my clients with dignity, respect and compassion. I am making a difference, one birth at a time.
My reasons haven't changed. Every woman should be treated with dignity, respect and kindness. Every woman should receive evidence based care. Every woman should be encouraged to take an active role in her care. I am still driven to do what I can to ensure no mother goes through the situation my sister had. While what happened was scary and dangerous, what stands out to me is how she was treated by her medical providers. She was left bleeding in the ER waiting room instead of receiving timely care. The words providers used when speaking to her made her feel she was being accused of intentionally doing something to cause the postpartum hemorrhage instead of acknowledging that this was an emergency situation that she had no control over. She was given outdated information about breastfeeding. She was separated from her newborn for days as she recovered. There are so many things about her care that I see as inappropriate and detrimental.
The biggest reason I became a midwife is because the fastest way to change how Mothers are cared for is to become the provider. I've been a midwife for over 4 years now. I truly love the work I do. I continue to be amazed by the beauty of pregnancy and birth. I continue to be amazed by how strong Moms are. I delight in learning more to provide the best care I can and to support Moms and babies well. I love providing the care that I feel every woman should receive, treating my clients with dignity, respect and compassion. I am making a difference, one birth at a time.
RSS Feed