Ever since I minored in Women’s Studies, I have been passionate about health care of women. At the time I was a Nursing major, however somehow ended up graduating with a Philosophy degree, intending to start graduate school and study Public Health or some similar faucet. Then was sidetracked when I ended up traveling the world as a Flight Attendant. I did end up on a layover in Washington DC one time smack during the middle of the March for Womens Lives at the National Mall. It was a experience of a lifetime that only enhanced my desire to work with women.

Long story short, post September 11th, I ended up working in Pharmaceuticals and I will just say I am unhappy, and as many do feel that our availability of care in the traditional medical setting is lacking, especially toward women. I have seen a lot! So, I have decided to go back to Nursing School and hopefully pursue some more holistic route. I believe, there can only be HUGE benefits if the naturopathic/holistic communities could come together with the modern medicine communities. If nothing else, I want to be the nurse that they come get when someone who wants a natural birth if forced or chooses a hospital delivery.

I would have never dreamed that in the 8 years since I sat in that “History of Midwifery” class in college, it would still be illegal in my state!

Thanks to Rixa’s blog I have now found yours as well. I am also an LD nurse who believes that the current state of maternal and child health is disparaging. I have been an LD nurse for 8 years and have gone through cycles of feeling burned out, motivated to be an agent of change, discouraged, re motivated by a particular birth I was involved in, and on and on. When I think about it is much like a contraction pattern. Periods of rest, contentedness and love for myself and the work that I do, followed by periods where I need to be encouraged, find inner strength and sometime struggle against the pain of feeling helpless. In your first post you stated “…I am at the end of the line when it comes to making an impression on how couples prepare for and view their impending birth experience and in consequence, began to feel almost powerless in my ability to affect a positive change in the current birth culture and practice in this country.” This has also been a huge frustration for me in my career. Especially as someone with the heart of a warrior who strongly believes in advocacy and personal choice in all areas of life. I recently attended the Level I training for Birthing From Within in and felt as though life and energy has been blown back into what was becoming an empty shell of a nurse. I will beginning teaching holistic childbirth preparation classes through the Birthing From Within program this month and am so excited that I might be able to affect that positive change in the birth culture that you refer to. Every person’s path is different, but I strongly encourage you to check out the program. It has been life changing for me in both my professional and personal life. I honor and thank you for the work that you do with women and their families, and I look forward to continuing to read your blog.

Namaste
Alethea

In Birth and Love
Nicole