Sunday, November 30, 2014

waterbirth. communication. and reflection.

i went to a waterbirth workshop with barbara harper a few weeks ago, with one of the women i work with.

she was a fantastic road trip companion.
brought new inspiration to me about my practice and waterbirth.

we have a lovely tub at our birth centre
(which is 3 minutes from my door. this is also quite lovely).
(this also helped last thursday when we had two babies born overnight, 12hours apart)

11 births so far.
3 in the water.

this weekend, i had a mom come in and 13 minutes later birth her baby in the tub.
she arrived. got into the tub i had waiting for her, pushed, and when i helped her forward into a squat, pushed out her 4.53kg (10 lbs.) baby girl.

i felt as her head emerged. she sat there between contractions. coming back from the conference i brought with me something from cranial sacral therapy.
a way to communicate with the baby.
i gently touch her temporal bone, above the ear.
helping her decide which route to take into the world.
she restituted to the left. and spun out into this realm.

this weekend was spent saying goodbye to my sister and her family as they move back to calgary. i've been lucky to have them living at my parents house this last 9 months. i've got to watch as my niece developed into this little person, who when see's me come into the house, reaches to be in my arms.

it was spent watching as a new life transitioned into it's own autonomous self.

it was spent fulfilling the simple chore of shovelling my driveway and sidewalk. a simple task that grounds me.

it was spent continuing to flush all the toxins from my body from eating grains when i shouldn't have been.

it was spent in sweat. and in meditation. and practicing yoga.

it was spent in quiet reflection.

i'm inspired. 

making plans. 

i feel this year. 

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

on being 34. nesting. and moving forward.


it was my birthday on saturday.

one year ago i was in toronto. i turned 33. i had graduated midwifery school and was embarking on registration in canada.

it was last november that i first interviewed for the position that i now hold.

it's amazing what can happen in a year.
it's amazing what can stay the same.

but i'm here.
i'm moving forward.

in my 33rd year, i registered as a midwife in saskatchewan. i returned home. witnessed the birth of my niece and the growth of my sister and her husband as parents.

i returned home.

for the first time in more years i care to count i have a home. i pulled it off some how, but i bought a small house.

this road warrior is settling down.

man, it's been a struggle. but i have not doubted this course for one minute. i know to the core of my soul that i was meant to be exactly where i am right now.

i'm mourning the loss of a relationship. not quite accepting that it's over and still trying to overcome the impossible.

but i'm moving forward.

so what will this next year look like?

growth.
as a midwife.
as a woman.
focus on building community.
birth community.
arts community.
friendship and support community.
healing my body.
healing my heart.
creating art.
moving my body.
moving my soul.
writing.

my goal is to write more.
i've fallen off. lost focus.
not knowing how to approach this new space.

this year, my focus it break myself wide open...

this is 34.