Share your story: What does midwifery mean to you? What would you like to be celebrated in the Year of the Nurse and the Midwife?
Every
day I am honored to be part of a profession that supports and empowers women
through some of the most difficult and intimate times of their lives. Midwifery
is being with a woman, sharing education with them, and empowering them to make
the right choices for themselves and their families. Midwifery is helping a
woman deliver her first baby and families welcoming baby number 2+. It is
helping them have a good birth experience by being well informed and supporting
them through the induction/labor process. Midwifery is normalizing birth and
the birthing process to help eliminate the fear associated with it. It is
crying with a woman as they experience loss or educating/helping a woman on how
to prevent a pregnancy. It is watching their babies grow as you get the
opportunity to deliver another member of their family. Midwifery is normalizing
PPD and helping eliminate the stigma. Midwifery is the care of the woman
throughout every milestone from menses to menopause and beyond.
In the Year of the Nurse and the Midwife I would like the importance of our
profession to be known! I strongly believe nurses and midwives will aid in the
maternal mortality crisis. Every woman deserves midwifery care and to know who
we are and what we do!
Tell us about your background: Which midwifery education program did you attend or are currently attending? What are your areas of specialty? Who mentored you along the way in your career? What inspired you to become a midwife?
When I was a teenager, I experienced the prenatal care and birth of my niece. From the moment I watched my niece come earthside I knew I wanted to be a part of a career that witnessed the creation of families. I attended the University of Colorado for my accelerated nursing degree and eventually for my CNM degree after a couple of detours as a pediatric nurse and some time as an L&D nurse where I confirmed becoming a midwife was my goal. I was fortunate enough to be mentored by the amazing midwives at UCH, who supported me, guided me, and had faith in me as I juggled work, school, a husband, and 3 small children. After graduation I started at a private practice where I had two experienced midwives guide me, mentor me, and help me through not only my first year as a midwife, but a surprise pregnancy.
Now a midwife with over two years of experience, I am experienced in circumcisions, first assists, and have been a mentor/preceptor to two new graduates.
