Teamwork Birthing

Midwifery: A Journey

I started my journey to midwifery when I was pregnant with my 2nd child. After my first birth in the hospital where I felt bullied and pressured into doing things I knew I didn’t want, I started to research alternatives for my next birth only 13 months later. I found an incredible midwife group at a birth center close to my home. My 2nd birth I felt in control throughout my pregnancy, labor and birth. I no longer felt like a sick patient but instead an empowered woman. My birth experience was night and day compared to the hospital and I knew I would never go back unless medically necessary. By the time I was pregnant with #4, I had not only experienced 2 natural labors, I found myself compelled to tell others that there was another way. I started supporting friends and family as a doula and doing everything I could to help them have a voice in their birthing environment. When my youngest was 6 years old, I started the process of being certified as a doula.

After being certified by DONA, I continued to practice and support women in the hospital, birth center or home for 5 years. I loved my job. I loved educating women about the choices they have during their pregnancy and birth experience. However, after several years of doing a job where I felt my knowledge of birth didn’t match what I witnessed, I decided I needed to do something different. I didn’t want to just be the woman warning and helping to strategize with clients to help them achieve their goals. I didn’t want to keep telling clients to be ready to fight. I knew I could serve women more fully as a provider who allows her patients to have full control over their healthcare. I wanted to offer women what I believe they deserve. I wanted to BE the change instead of trying to change a broken system. So, I started midwifery school in the Fall of 2015.

CCSM (Commonsense Childbirth School of Midwifery) is the school I decided to attend. I knew Jennie Joseph is the owner and creator of the school and I have long respected her work. My school experience did not disappoint. Even though school was overwhelming, exhausting and emotionally draining, I was so thankful for the education and training I received. My 1st year of school I precepted (interned) at Inspiration birth center. I learned a lot here and quickly but I knew this wasn’t the pace or atmosphere I wanted for my own practice. The last 2 years, I precepted with April Williams, a home birth midwife. It didn’t take long for me to realize this was the kind of midwife and the kind of practice I wanted to be/have. I am so thankful for both experiences and for the opportunity to assist other midwives over the years and learn the different styles. In July of 2018, I graduated and became a licensed midwife in the state of Florida.

It has been a long journey and a huge sacrifice for my entire family, but I finally feel like I am doing the job I was made for. I look forward to working in this field for many years and being witness to the daily miracle of birth. I believe women are strong and powerful. I believe our bodies were created to birth. I believe every woman should be an active participant in their own care and I will be a provider to offer this type of care.