Day Four: Red Rocks and Fresh Air

Days two and three were study days. I studied all my university subjects and Heart and Hands, by Elizabeth Davis.

Friday, my partner, T, and I went to Williams, AZ to pick up our new home, a 1979, 25 foot Kountry Aire travel trailer. We moved it to the 5 acre plot we will be living on in just two short months. After we checked all the electricity and gas lines, we went out for dinner on the historic Route 66 and came back to the trailer. The air was so chilly and calm. It smelled of Christmas. T says the smell will only get stronger. T is from northern Minnesota and used to the smell, the fresh air, the trees and all the perfect beauty that surrounded us, but it was all still exciting. We saw blue birds playing around at dusk and every star in the night sky when the sun went down. We were asleep by 8 and awake at 5:15. We got to watch the sun rise. Saturday, on the way home, while T drove, I read about molar pregnancies and pelvic exams.

The rest of Saturday afternoon was spent studying pelvic examinations and getting ready for the evening wedding we were invited to.

Sunday, I said goodbye to T for the week. T works in Yucca at the Harley Davidson Proving Grounds as a test rider for the company. Sweet job, eh? Then I met Molly at her place and we drove to Sedona for my second prenatal.

The couple is new age, very new age. This couple exemplifies the Hollywood stereotype New Age. The expectant mother, Corrina, is absolutely gorgeous. She has chestnut brown eyes that burn with intensity, although sometimes, she would stare off into space and be unreachable for a pause. Her 41 and half week belly was perfectly pregnant, the baby having dropped steadily the last few weeks. She was wearing a regular skirt pulled below her belly and a flowy, floral cotton shirt. She looked perfectly at ease in her reformed body. When she spoke, she took deep breaths and breathed out her words slowly. She thought about everything she was about to say and everything that was said to her. Again, Molly let me take the vitals.

Corrina's husband, Daniel, was the person who greeted us at the door. He was very skeptical of me and tried to assess me without asking any questions. I have a septum piercing, the bull ring, that I often forget about. Sometimes, it takes me a few moments to figure out why I am being stared at. I guess I should get quicker at that. Although Daniel led us into the living space, he did not offer us a drink or for us to sit. He stumbled around the kitchen and finally settled into a chair in the far corner of the living room. Daniel is a good looking man with salt and pepper hair. He has a commanding way about him. There were times when he spoke for Corrina and times where she looked to him for the answer she was seeking. He asked many questions, including one about dilation. He was sure that Corrina was dilated 5 cm because her vagina, a word he wouldn't say, was more open than usual, at least 5 cm more open apparently! When he found out that potassium is good for the muscles, he tried to make Corrina eat more molasses, something he heard would induce labor. When she refused, he made her eat a banana. Molly says that she's seen Corrina hold her own when she and Daniel go head to head.

They told us about some pains Corrina was having that felt like contractions. She said she screamed when they came on. I wonder what she will be like in actual labor and how she will handle active labor. I have been invited by Molly to assist her in this birth, so I will get first hand knowledge of how Corrina will deal. I bet she will find her center fairly quickly.

Today, I read a little on the train to ASU and started making flash cards for the first few chapters. The book itself is very general and skims a lot of stuff, but then again, I am only on Chapter 3. I have to stop midwifery for the night and and start some math, chemistry and dinner for the kids. Tonight we are having tofu, broccoli, cauliflower and carrot teryaki on brown rice. Yummy. (I love to cook and eat whole foods, by the way.)

Day 1: Today It Began

For many years I have dreamt the life I am walking into today. Everything that I have done and that has been done to me, has led me here. And today I am grateful.

I am still riding a high right now. I attended my first prenatal this morning. For privacy reasons, I won't be able to post any real names. Not even the midwife I am working with until I get her permission.

The day started well. I got the boys off to school, like any normal Thursday and now here's where today was different. Instead of going home to study, I went to Molly, my preceptors, house and picked up books and paperwork, endless knowledge and so much positive energy that I am still riding it!

"Wanna see a twin placenta?"
Duh!
It was amazing! My first lesson was on a placenta. Which side is connected to the mama, which side held the babies; both sides having clearly defined area where the two babies were separated. The sac was large with a divider, but smaller than I though for a combined 11ish pounds, a home for each baby. The walls of the sac are double layered; they slide on each other. There were two cords, each connected on either side of the dividing wall. Perfection.

I know this stuff seems logical, but to see it is absolutely magical!

Then the client, Jada, came over. Immediately, I was at ease. What a calming energy that surrounded us. Jada's tall and beautiful, with the perfect belly. She was welcoming to me. She was excited to let me learn on her. Molly let me take Jada's blood pressure and pulse. I was very accurate, surprising since I haven't taken a BP in about two years.

I observed, took notes, asked questions and basked in the beauty and glow of this perfect process of nature. I rubbed Jada's swollen feet and legs. I listened. I thought. I grinned and teared up. There is just something about a baby in utero that makes my heart sing.

When I was walking out the door, two things happened to make me believe further that this is where I am supposed to be in life.

One: Jada told me that she liked my goddess necklace. I told her that I chose the stone, a moonstone, specifically because it is said to protect while traveling. And I travel a whole bunch. Molly asked me if I knew what else the moonstone was symbolic of. She said it is one of the stones associated with midwives. I have had this necklace for about 5 years now. It pleases me that even my necklace choice has led me in this direction.

Two: The dictionary.com word of the day was mana. Mana [mah-nah] - noun 1. a generalized, supernatural force or power, which may be concentrated in objects or persons. Today I am not sure it was concentrated in the strong women in the room, or in the room as a whole, but I definitely felt mana in that room.

If you stumbled upon this blog, the placenta part alone may make you think I am crazy, but birth really is a miracle. No amount of science can ever explain the pure love a baby brings to the world with it.