Mountain Midwifery

2010-01-23T23:45:00.001-07:00

Reducing Infant Mortality from Debby Takikawa on Vimeo.

Making Memories

2009-12-01T22:16:00.004-07:00

Here's hoping ya'll had a great Thanksgiving with your families!

What a nice day it was for us...

The boys and I felt this would be a good year for the three of us to relax together. We also worked together for a couple of mornings to prepare the feast. Sure turned out good!

Between devouring the treats we played outside together (now, it turns out that I kept up with the kids for the most part, but got pretty winded toward the end -- mostly from laughing so much).

Back indoors, after a little cleanup time there were yummy desserts and a long game of Monopoly -- the Indiana Jones edition.

Later, a snack and a movie wound things down toward bedtime.

The children each mentioned intermittently that the best Thanksgiving Days are the ones spent just together like this.

I really enjoyed the break from work stresses for some good old fashioned fun with my guys. We all slept soundly that night, too. And on Friday the kids rested some and then feasted some more -- and I didn't even have to cook!

Wishing love and happy times for all of you...

~ Country Midwife

Precious Life

2009-12-01T20:57:00.015-07:00

Birth & death - the only mandatory conditions of life, I tend to say. Sometimes that contrast, though, can make us think.

Saturday morning. On the way to do a home visit with new clients. Feeling happy, relaxed. Another half hour or so to drive yet slowing down as there's still a bit of ice on the road.

Flashing lights, many vehicles. Passing very slowly now. At the side of the road there are many people in uniforms standing together. There heads are kind of handing low. There, near their feet, are two stretchers completely covered in white sheets. Behind them is a little car with the roof smashed.

It's sad to see, especially during the Thanksgiving holiday. But why the tears? I did not know them. Just had to pull over and breathe...and feel...

I knew other people would be waiting for me, wanting to talk of their happy plans. I called my friend (another midwife far away) on the cell phone. It was a relief to hear her voice. I told her what I saw and how my heart was praying for the families of those who passed so suddenly. It seemed like a lot to take in while I needed to be focused on the expectant mother whom I was on the way to see.

My friend and I talked on the phone, as friends do, and she helped as midwives do. I felt so blessed that she was there!

On the way again. "Drive carefully," she said. Indeed, I had been thinking about returning safely to my own children today. Also of my grown children far over the miles and the rest of our family and friends - wishing for their safety. And I did drive more slowly than usual.

Arriving at the appointment, I said another prayer before going in and although a little raw in the heart, found a renewing sense of peace and again knew I could bring that with me to this sweet young couple who are planning new life.

May we all consider those who are waiting for us as we travel and take our best care to return to them whole and hearty!

~ from the heart of a Country Midwife

It happened to be late that evening...

2008-03-08T17:12:00.014-07:00

...and although the kids went to bed early, I was only able to doze a little so far.

There's no way to explain how a midwife often senses that this is going to be the day. Days will pass and I think it might be today or getting close, but when it's going to actually happen, something in me has always sort of known. I go into a different state of consciousness, it seems. Oh, the tasks of the day will be taken care of but I just happen to leave a little extra space around even the little chores, staying ready to be called, I guess.

The bags and cases are by the door. They've been checked over and a few extra items added. The oxygen tanks are full. The babysitter has been alerted to the nearing possibility of an all-nighter. I close my eyes. It's 10 pm and maybe, just maybe, I'll get a full night's sleep after all.

Aaahhh. Sleep feels good....

Rrrriiinnngg! I glance at the clock and hear my children stirring. It's 11 pm. "Time to get going" I call out while picking up the phone. "Hello...um", is all he says at first. (Yep, it's them.) "Do you think you could come and check ~ she says her water broke and the contractions are getting more noticable. She's doing OK, so maybe just a check?" We discuss the contractions for a moment and I reassure this sort-of calm father-to-be that I'll be there in about 15 minutes or so and then we'll be able to see what's next.

Let's go, kids! With the phone held between shoulder and ear, I haul birth cases out to the frozen van in the mid-January weather while calling the babysitter out of a deep sleep to let her know we'll be there in a few minutes. "You mean now? I'm sleeping". I feel awkward, but realize she's still half asleep. I ask if I should I just come in quietly and put the kids on the sofa. "Oh, now I'm awake. Just come on over. "

The kids are smiling and asking if there's going to be a baby tonight. They are acquainted with the family that called so this one is a little more special and questions keep coming while I drive around the corner to bring them and their overnight bags to our droopy-eyed dear friend.

Their jolly mood gives me some needed energy. We all wave good-night and I head down the road to "check" on the labor. On the way, I say a prayer for the birthing mother. I wonder if it will be one of those really long ones. But it might be that after the homebirth and the hours of postnatal care, I'd be bringing a good birth story home to my own family by morning...

It was starting to feel like a long long night until just at sunrise, (with a lot of good hard work from his Mommy), a happy family received a chubby pink and feisty William (9 lbs.) into their loving arms!

Later, after a few hours of postnatal care and chart work, mother & baby and their family are all settled in together for a good rest. Bags and cases can be loaded back into the van. The hugs and words of appreciation from the family add a deep sense of peace to this midwife's heart. On my way home, I sigh a prayer of thanks to God for yet another joyful birth. I also pray that my eyes would stay open long enough to pick up the kids and climb back under the covers, where there'll be cuddles and shared stories of our night's adventures (before any snoozing can be resumed).

Aaaahhh.

~ just a Country Midwife