Hello whoever is out there...be you wannabes, trained or other student midwifes or perhaps just random passers by!
Many people ask how I first came to decide on midwifery, such a selective and particular niche?
I always start by explaining how my mother has been such a wonderful inspiration in me making this desision, she is and will always be the gate to my path of midwifery. She had two wonderful homebirths with my younger sisters after having a a 'failed' homebirth and horrible hospital experience with me. Mum has always talked to us about her pregnancies and births and answered our inquisative questioning. I remember waking up as my youngest sister was born and seeing her as a new newborn baby and I really value that special moment of seeing my naked red haired baby sister in my dads arms as mum birthed the placenta. My interest and fascination in pregnancy and birth has been growing since I could talk and would point at other babies and tell my mum, "Look mummy, it's a beebee" in my Jordie accent to watching births on Youtube as a young teen.
Once I began voicing my wishes to become a midwife I knew nothing could stop me.
However I did have a wobble in my aspirations once... When it came time to begin choosing careers to study in my fifth year of secondary school I was surprised to realise I was scared of the thought of midwifery. I think the idea of the responsibility it would mean I'd have to hold had shaken me and I was worried that the dream I'd had would be crumbled by fear. I let these thoughts sit and it dawned on me that if I pursued anything other than midwifery I would always regret it and there my joy of life bubbled and exploded again and I was back on the road to becoming a midwife!
Why not study nursing first and then specialise as a midwife?
Because I never want to wash old men! There are more complex reasons than that also of course... I worked so hard through my two leaving cert years and at my exams that I had no intention of then studying something for four years that I didn't even want to do in the long run, no, to me it is a waste of time! And I'm very happy I made that decision now I've started the course.
Why homebirth?
So many reasons!! But rather than being just very supportive of homebirth I'd like to see myself as being a midwife who is supportive of what each individual mother feels is best for herself once she is informed and comfortable with her decision. Because the people who matters most are the mother, baby and their family, not the midwife or doctor. I understand there is much to dicuss regarding homebirth and will no way attempt to start it now! It will come in bits and pieces as I learn more =)
Well, I think that's it for today and soon I will tell you of my first few weeks I have been experiencing as a student midwife!
And no matter who you are, I do hope you enjoyed learning a bit about me, my mind and my life.
Slan!
