Fingerprints All Over My Heart
Day 31
I want to say that as an entry level midwife (to be) I truly appreciate all the midwives who have forged the way in the last two or three decades. At this moment I can say that doubly for the Wise Women and Families who have made Shiphrah Birthing Home what it is. When Shiphrah first began it was literally done out of Jeri’s home, and they simply began to help women with their births. They have faithfully and gently served women, empowering them in their choices and offering a safe alternative to hospital births.
Early this morning I was sitting at the feet of a lovely woman as the magical sight of her bag of waters ballooned forth. It was surreal and appeared as mystical as a crystal ball or a snow globe. Contraction after contraction I patiently watched as she allowed her baby to descended slowly, slowly and gently often seeking out and holding my gaze. We all watched with breathless amazement as the dark presence of her baby’s curls slowly slid into view inside the caul. When the head was fully out the bag broke gently and the baby’s head slowly turned, as she was ready to make her final journey into this world. She’s out! My heart skips a beat at the loveliness of the birth. The baby is exquisitely perfect in every way! This birth felt so good, because the father was there, an aunt was there and the couples’ three-year-old daughter was there and happily playing in the room until about a half hour before the birth. Afterwards I was called to help in the next room (another baby) and I mentioned that I wanted the baby skin to skin to bond. I was pleasantly surprised to see the aunt expertly get the baby in place on the mother and nursing right away. Often there is resistance in this culture to the mother or baby being undressed because they do not want either to get cold, but this family seemed well versed in this practice. I mentioned it afterwards and found out that I had literally been sitting at the feet of a legacy! The girl in front of me had been born at Jeri’s house herself! In their family both of the aunt’s children had been born into Shiphrah’s faithful care, the first at Beverly (Jeri’s house) 20 years ago and the next here at the birthing home 12 years ago. The new mama (one of a family of 7) also had three other siblings that had been born within the sanctuary of these walls through the years. Then the crowning penticle of the story for me: The little one sleeping on the bed so soundly as her mother pushed her new little sister into the world had been born exactly in the same place in the room three years before. The whole story gave me a thrill and I felt the weight of the beauty of the big picture fall across me. Soon the typical routine ensued without any coaching for they were all veterans of the system: Everyone quickly helped clean away the wet newspapers, and dispose of the placenta; the father was in the bathroom getting the mop ready and was soon industriously mopping the floor (I love this tradition and it seems so fitting, and best of all the daddy’s always seem to love to do it and are quite offended if anyone takes this very important job from them. When all is in order the father rushes out to retrieve food for the mama and then almost always comes in and feeds her bite by bite like a queen. When the newborn exam is done the daddy is obviously excited and perhaps a shade nervous as I check out his new little girl. He has obviously bonded with her completely and hovers over me until his wife tells him to sit down with a smile at me at his nervousness. After the baby bath the father carries the tub away for us and empties it. He also carefully helps the mother of his children to the bathroom and ministers to her every need there. My heart is full of Mama love… baby love… couple love and pure and complete love of BIRTH! I am in love with my teachers and wait expectantly for each new lesson they wish to lead me in. Their teachings are thorough and they treat me with unfailing kindness. My heart is full of Shiphrah Love! Now at last I will sleep…..