I promised to come back and share what has led up to my last post, the one about becoming a midwife. This may get long so I hope you stick with me for a few minutes.
Prior to the first weekend in June, I had resigned myself to not study Midwifery because of the trouble I was having getting my foot in the door. I will tell you that I wasn’t happy about this decision but knew it was better than the alternative of going back to the nursing I was practicing before. Like I said though, this was until June 4th.
On June 4th, I was working at a booth for Advocare to get some attention about our products at a wellness fair. While there, I ran into a La Leche League leader that helped me when I was struggling with breastfeeding Joley. I knew I had to talk to her and personally thank her again for all she did for us. I cried, she cried. It was a beautiful moment and I knew that it was completely worth all the time and stress of the day simply to see her. I mentioned to her that my birth experience and breastfeeding experience have led me to want to be a midwife. She asked if I would be interested in being a CPM (non-nurse midwife). My LLL friend mentioned to me when we spoke that she knew the nurse opening the birthing center (first in our area!) and could get me in touch with her if I wanted to do the CNM (nurse midwife) route to talk. The thought of being a midwife was so exciting. I talked to Mike a few days later and cried because I knew that the CPM route was not for me… I would never feel fully satisfied with my career and it isn’t very stable. I also cried because I knew for sure that family practice is not what I want to be doing 5 years from now. I want to be a midwife.
After my talk with Mike, we decided that if I wanted to be a midwife, we would do what we had to do. I researched Midwifery schools again and was looking around the web at some schools. When I hit one site, I had a calming feeling come over me. I knew when I was on the website that THIS IS IT! I found the school I want to go to. Now, the issue was one of experience and time.
I have been trying to get a job in L&D for several months as a RN. I have been turned down because of lack of experience. They are willing to hire a student nurse but not an experienced one because of specializing. I was worried and feeling disappointed but didn’t know what to do. At this point, I remembered my LLL friend mentioning the CNM that is opening the birthing center. I am not sure what has gotten into me to be so bold, but I emailed her last week through a local Midwife support group asking for some insight or suggestions on how I could get my foot in the door with the hospitals. The next day I went back on the website and realized that her email address was bouncing so I was worried she wouldn’t receive the email. I was afraid of seeming a bit stalkerish, but went on a limb and emailed again through the “contact us” form for the birth center.
On Saturday, while sitting at the hairdresser, I received a response from her. I am not sure what I was expecting but was so glad she took the time to email me back at all. I was hoping for some encouragement and suggestions to get my foot in the door for L&D or gynecology. I was sitting in the chair while Tayler was getting her hair cut and started crying. The first line stated that she was “so happy [I] found her”. The CNM (J) said that she had suffered similar problems with nursing and being specialized. She gave me some suggestions on how to get myself ready to… work in the birth center! Did you read that??? She said that because of my passion to work in this field and willingness to learn, she would be willing to give me a chance to work in the birth center! My dream is to work in a birth center as a nurse midwife. It was almost too much to take in at the moment. I couldn’t believe it was really happening.
I immediately started working on the things she suggested. I am attending Childbirth Educator (CBE) and Doula training next week. On June 22-24, from 8a to 6p everyday, I will be learning the necessary skills and information to be a labor doula and childbirth educator. This was a bit sudden and money is a big issue, but this is so important! The training classes are not in my area again for some time and I needed to get in while I could. Thankfully, the woman running the classes is super kind and has been working with me. Because of being an RN, I will qualify for the accelerated CBE course. I will offer my (volunteer) services as a doula in my area after the training to get some experience. I am on my way to doing what I have wanted for so long!
Today, I sat down with J in person. We talked for nearly an hour and I think she is wonderful. She was very kind to me and I felt so comfortable talking with her. She shared information about the CNM school (she just graduated from the exact school I want to attend) and about the birth center. I told her my desire to work for her and she is very open to it. She said that “God puts people in our path… when someone has this much passion and desire… she isn’t going to say no”. We hugged before leaving and she told me to contact her when I am finished with my classes to let her know how they go. She is offering me the opportunity to work in the birth center when it opens as a per diem birth assistant. I couldn’t ask for anything more. Honestly, this is the best feeling I have had in a very long time.
So, I will be working under the supervision of a CNM in a birth center soon. I wasn’t looking for a job but couldn’t be happier with this turn of events. Meeting my LLL friend, finding the school, emailing J, and her offering me a position with the center are all signs from God I believe. I can see my future before me and I am so, so excited.
I have a long way to go. I still have one year of my bachelor’s degree to complete. I will apply to the midwifery program at the end of the fall semester because I may need to retake Statistics (ugh!). Hopefully, I will be able to continue to work at the birth center for some time to gain the experience I want and need. I have a ton of work and a lot of time left before my ultimate goal… but now I am not only hopeful, but also confident. I can do this… I can be a midwife!!!!
Kate Hayes says
Wow…congratulations on pursuing your dream. What an awesome story! I’m sure that someday you will look back and read this and smile….thinking of the thousands of women that you have helped bring babies into the world. Best wishes for your future success!
CJ says
Glad I was able to link up this weekend for SSO. Student nurse here and glad to see you are getting to do what you really want in nursing. I know it will work out for you!!
Mommy D says
WOW! You seem to be getting all your ducks in line and well on your way to helping women with the most awesome experience of their lives! Imagine the awe you must feel to be included in these peoples lives in such a miraculous way. Good for you and I’m very happy and proud of you!
Mommy D
hippie4ever says
I am so happy for you! Congratulations 🙂
Debby Pucci says
What a beautiful post. God is good! This has success written all over it 🙂 You go girl!!!
Tara says
How amazing! I think being a midwife is such a beautiful thing. I had midwives attend my birth and they were so much better than the doctors!
.-= Tara´s last blog ..Giveaway Daily Digest – June 14th =-.
carol says
Yes you CAN, and WILL in time. Excited for you.
Robyn's Online World says
Wow! That is a wonderful series of events. I am so happy for you! I know a doula here in the area, if you think it might be of help let me know (she is on facebook a lot)
.-= Robyn’s Online World´s last blog ..dressbarn Free Totes & Coupons Plus a Giveaway! =-.
Angela says
That is awesome news! Good luck in your journey! I have been seriously considering going the midwife route with my next child. Hubby is not convinced though.
.-= Angela @ Nine More Months´s last blog ..Give-it-away Saturday! #5 =-.