The birthing business is always evolving and changing yet one fact remains the same. The more things change the more they stay the same. Babies continue to be born everyday, with and without interventions. Women continue to push them out regardless of the setting. At home, in the hospital, a birthing center, taxi cab, elevator, you name it and its been done. So why is society still so afraid of birth? Why do interventions continue to be hailed as the next best thing since sliced bread when research proves for the normal healthy pregnancy simple rules? Why does our society with its shiny gadgets for the labor and delivery room still have one of the most embarrassing infant mortality rates? Why does lack of medical insurance or socioeconomic standing or ethnicity still create disparities in maternal and infant outcomes? Babies will continue to be born. Mothers will continue to push their babies out. And things in the birth world will continue to go full steam ahead. So what is the question? Not if, but how long before we change the system?
Mind Control September 15, 2009
Mind Over Birth by Carl Jones. I recently completed reading this book from my Birth Arts International reading list. I am studying under its Monitrice Program. Monitrice is French for instructor or teacher and has commonly been used to refer to driving instructor or similar roles. In this context it being used to refer to the person who works with a mother in all phases of pregnancy up to and including birth and postpartum support. It’s an interesting word to get used to particularly since its not a commonly used one. In any event I read this book as part of my requirement and was very satisfied with it. It deals with mental imagery and various forms of mental relaxation. It goes beyond relaxation and addresses visualizing a healthy pregnancy, the birth of your choice, and parenting. I came away with some useful tools for my clients. I prefer the term mental imagery (now that I know it) to visualization or relaxation alone. Mental imagery opens one up more and creates the impression of the mind in control which is just what this book is about. This is a direction I have been exploring and this was a great place to begin.
One great example was getting started and using your senses to create the mental image of an orange. You use your mind to touch, smell, and taste this orange. With all the fear mongering going on when it comes to birth its great to have more tools in the natural birth bag to help mothers slay the fear dragon.
If you’re interested I’ll update you on how my training is going. There is a lot to tell and I am sure there is someone out there who is wondering about taking a similar path.
Get Your Head in the Game September 6, 2009
Staying focused on what you want to achieve sometimes feels like the left and the right side of your brain are competing for your attention. Who says you can’t have it all? I disagree, you can have it all but like anything we take on portion size and balance is key. First decide what your all will be. For me its ALL THINGS BIRTH. I want it all but I’m portioning it out so I don’t gorge myself. My right now is being a better birth professional and that means studying to be a Professional Labor and Postpartum Assistant. As much as I know I’ve already learned a great deal in less than a month. Not simply about the art and professional but more about myself. Parts of this journey I don’t look forward to (keeping it real), yet I know its required if I am to become better at my craft as a birth professional. A woman who supports, encourages and nurtures other women. So to all of you out there who sometimes hesitate, GET YOUR HEAD IN THE GAME.
Catching Up July 27, 2009
Life sometimes feels like its moving so fast. I find the best way to handle these moments is to slow myself down, take stock of the day and enjoy. That’s how I would describe this past weekend. I accomplished much in the way of work assignments, but I also found time to sit in the sun, read, nap, laugh and be silly with family. I praise God for the ability to have accomplished what I would call a very fulfilling weekend. I’m learning and I’m still working on improving my spiritual life. A guest speaker at my church said would you go for days without eating? My response, no. Then when it comes to the Word of God we also need to eat daily. That is my assignment, to be filled with the Word of God. Not quite an All Things Birth message, but again birth is about the mind, body and spirit.
Be Blessed
Tamara
Monday Musings June 1, 2009
Pregnancy is a journey along the road of a woman’s lifespan. Labor and birth are part of this journey, each with its own special and sacred view.
It’s been too long May 29, 2009
It’s been too long since the sun threw shadows on the pavement. It’s been too long since I felt it warm then gently sting my skin. It’s been too long since I’ve basked in its warmth. I’m ready for the summer to begin.
Here to Stay May 29, 2009
I’ve been a little selfish with my time. Won’t you forgive me? I’ve been trying to recreate what was already created. Instead I simply returned to my roots…of birth that is. I took a step back, then moved to the side, I bobbed, then weaved, then bobed and weaved some more. Only to find myself once again standing here on the same shores. ALL THINGS BIRTH. It has me calling out my own name. ALL THINGS BIRTH. Can’t escape the calling. So I humbly request your pardon. I humbly make my apologies. Selfish no more. I won’t be selfish no more. I’m home again. Will you welcome me?
Spring Cleaning April 18, 2009
I found a great book at the library’s sale today. It’s called Detox for Life. Detox your mind, body, relationships, and home. I’ve gone through it briefly and I can’t wait to start working on somethings. I’ll tell the truth, no I won’t commit to reading it from cover to cover and implementing everything. That would put it on my must do list and I would get bored. Instead I will take small bites. It came just in time as I was listening to a woman on the radio today who said we should do some internal spring cleaning. She suggested a week of fruits and vegetables among other things. I won’t go into detail here because this will be food for my newsletter, so you have to check it out to get the nitty gritty.
Speaking of spring cleaning I’m spring cleaning self-centered people out of my life. I had a revelation last month. People really do look out for number one. I know what you’re thinking, but I honestly was under the impression that people gave thought to how their actions impact others. I realize now that’s not always true and I need to do me more.
As a result of my epiphany I have committed myself to removing self-centered people from my life, and thinking about me first more often. That doesn’t mean I’ll be stepping on toes anytime soon, but it does mean I will say no more frequently; consider if my decisions are based on me or them; and not feel guilty about either action.
This will work for me. It will help me to accomplish more of what I need to do. I recently read another book (I’ve been through about 5 in the last month) that put me on the track to considering if my decisions are me or them based. I discovered many are them based, but that’s another blogfest, so I have begun a process of elimination. It feels good.
One thing I have said yes to and can’t wait to get started are my Mamatoto Birth Circles. Swahili for MotherBaby, the birth circles, give new and expecting moms a positive place to share and find support. I also updated my website and owned up to the fact that I am a birth practitioner. As a result its jazzy and first rate and speaks to my passion. And think, that was only after one 1hour coaching session.
Gotta run now, but until we meet again.
Yours in health,
Tamara
Well, until we meet again enjoy and share.
I feel like complaining! January 14, 2009
I have 5 more days to be still and know that He is God. This time last year I was in the same place in life. Ready for transition and change and being still and waiting for the Lord to tell me which way. This year I figured I’m good for now, but guess what, obviously there are other plans in store for me. I don’t believe in coincidence, not in the bigger things in life. I believe knowledge reveals itself when you’re ready to learn. Sometimes we don’t know we’re ready.
There is this whole movment of seeing is believing and making life happen. I beleive that sometimes we can back ourselves into a corner of producing because we want things to happen so bad, even though its not our time. I also believe that its all for the greater good. Back to my first sentence that opened this post. The 5 days does not mean that God is only God for 5 days. It means that my busy body always looking for the hustle self needs to spend the next 5 days fasting on the need to be proactive. I need to learn how to be still and know that He is God.
2008 Gone but not Forgotten January 8, 2009
The concept of new year, new you has once again overtaken us as we ring in 2009. Bigger than the Super Bowl and more widely watched than the Olympics, we wait with bated breath for the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama.
I don’t know about the rest of you, but 2008 was a heck of a year for me as I tried some new things and stepped out on faith. Being a micro-business owner is no small feat. I have called into play every possible skill I have. There are days I feel like Queen of the hustle and others where I wonder what was I thinking.
Despite the highs and lows I am determined to stick it out. Its funny how my journey inspires others in ways I’m not often aware of. I keep moving forward, one foot in front of the other. I can do this.
