The Bachelor of Midwifery

My Midwives is a clinical site for Griffith University's Midwifery Program.  We have had several information evenings to talk about the course and we always get asked the question "can I fit this course into my life?".  What better way to answer this than hear from a B Mid student who is a mother of two and works part time.  Her committment and drive to become a midwife has allowed her to achieve work, study and everything that goes with having a family. 

I guess if something is that important to you, you just go ahead and do it.  If you are interested in studying to be a midwife applications for the course are still open until until the 20th of December for the 12th of January round offer through QTAC.  If you have futher questions you can contact info@mymidwives.com.au.   The post is by Jodie who is also an active member of the Friends of the Birth Centre in Toowoomba, yes she is quite a woman!

A Student's Perspective

My passion for midwifery developed after experiencing the births of my two children and being inspired by the midwives who supported me. I fell in love with pregnancy and birth, and here began my insatiable thirst for information and knowledge about the process and intricacies of the miracle of birth. Midwifery seemed a little of reach for me as I had no interest in nursing the ‘unwell’ but rather in supporting women at an extremely empowering time of their life.

Enter  B.Mid!

I have just completed my first year of full time study. It has been one of the most demanding years of my life but by far one of the most enjoyable and fulfilling. I have had the opportunity to deepen my understanding of the beginning of new life and birth and have also had the privilege of supporting some amazing women who have kindly agreed to allow me some practical insight into their birthing journey. I have learnt from and worked alongside talented and passionate midwives who are inspirational in their love for their vocation.

The ‘mixed mode’ delivery allows you to work in your own time – around a job, your family and other commitments. The shifts at the hospital can fit around your schedule, allowing you to achieve what you need to do at the most appropriate time for you. However, you are not left alone. The support from the clinical lecturers has been invaluable; providing clinical support and encouragement as well as opportunities for debriefing and development.

The theory this year has included topics such as the history and foundation of midwifery, basic health and nursing skills, communication skills, research development, supporting women from conception to the postpartum period, the human body systems and the development of the baby. 

The course is impressive with the amount of practical opportunities that are presented. I have been involved in the care of over 70 women (and their babies), supported women in over 20 births and have caught six beautiful babies! This year has deepened my passion for midwifery and the provision of woman-centered care to all expectant mothers. I am anticipating the New Year and can’t wait to get my hands on the second year studies! It is busy, it is demanding (physically, mentally, and emotionally!!!) but one of the most rewarding courses you could ever do. Anything worth doing always is!

Just for laughs!

Well you know how Bec and I have been going to the gym, well the results have been incredible for Bec.  I am a bit put off  that I am not looking this good yet but I can only live in hope!

Caesarean Birth - a woman's story.

I am a 35 year old Mum, for me, being a mother for the third time around didn’t come as I had expected. I had my two boys early in my 20s, and had postpartum depression very badly after my second baby. I remember the last time feeding him was in the mental health ward. 

I think though deep down in my heart I had always wanted a family of three children, I was white with terror, but also totally amazed and in awe at the two blue lines that were positive when I saw them on the stick. It had been 11 years since I had my last baby, and I really had thought that I had been robbed of the dream of having my third child. The strange mixture of feelings ... Were pretty overwhelming. My husband was extremely supportive, and we both wanted this baby, although we had to make the mental adjustments.

I was on some medication that was unhealthy for a growing baby, so my doctor took me off them, and I experienced withdrawal from them. I had to see a specialist, and I soon got back on track and my health improved pretty quickly. I had an early ante-natal appointment at the hospital because of the medication I had been on, and at the hospital clinic, I saw a brochure about midwifery.

Something about their philosophy really struck me as pretty inspiring, that they were there to share a journey with me, so I talked it over with some relatives who were midwives (now retired) and they fully supported my idea. I brought it up to my husband, and he was supportive. The hospital was great with the boys, but the thought of having somebody there for a continuity of care really mattered to me ... Little did I know how much it would help. I met , my gorgeous midwife, when I was about 16 weeks preggie. She was a darling. I pretty much fell in love with some of the other staff too, and I came to really look forward to just hanging about the clinic, which was more like a family home than a medical environment. I felt safe, accepted, appreciated, respected and loved.

I had a “high risk” pregnancy category due to some pre-existing medical factors, but I was still able to have all of my stuff done with my midwife. She was not only my midwife, she was an advocate, a tower of strength, she dried my tears, she gave me hugs, she patted my belly and called my baby darling. Having her on the journey was so special. I love my midwife, if only she knew how much she has made a difference to the start of my precious daughter’s life.

My daughter was born a month early by caesarean section. There were a few administrative things that I overheard being talked about because it was a very new thing to have a private midwife in a caesarean, and to me it was a really wonderful thing that even though some of the finer details were getting worked out, my midwife was able to come in as my support. My hubby had to sit out while I was getting the spinal anaesthesia, and as I hunched over, she lifted her surgical mask, smiled at me and mouthed that she was still here. Her eyes were sparkling. I felt reassured, and totally relaxed. Everyone there during my daughter’s delivery was totally wonderful.

She was actually born by an emergency caesarean because the placenta had started to come away, cause my waters had broken early, so having her there for afterwards was just wonderful too. The skin to skin contact with my daughter and being able to give her a first feed was really important to me, and I wanted my hubby to be there with me – my hubby and I were there together with our beautiful little daughter – with my midwife aiding me in feeding her and doing those first couple of hours of bonding. It is beautiful, a memory I cherish, though a little hazy, I know it was totally beautiful. My midwife also came to our house and helped us out with getting our little princess into a sleeping routine (bless her) and the home visits are something we very much looked forward to and appreciated.

So don’t think "oh, I am a high risk patient, oh, I have to have a caesarean, oh, I can’t have a midwife" Yes, you can, and miracles come in cans .....

Sitting here four months later with a beautiful happy daughter who is bonding beautifully all began with the journey with my beautiful midwife. I love my midwife x x
Anonymous

The Importance of You!

At My Midwives we are all busy Mum's and Grandma's and we have done what many women have done and put ourselves after family, after children and after work.  Hello extra kilos, particularly evident when Bec and I realised we were pretty snug on the two seater couch together!

For some reason over the last six weeks we have all taken the plunge, into healthier eating and exercise. Please note the picture of Bec and I after our first Mum's and Bub's gym session at Fighting Fit - still smiling, just!  A lot of fun and hilarity was had by all  whilst our toddlers and babies played, cried, slept and did what children do.  With that kind of chaos it is definitly our kind of place!

Anyway after our gym session we realised how much we had enjoyed spending some time focusing on ourselves.  It may have been a little out of the box (for us) and we have the sad, sore, sorry muscles to prove it but the underlying purpose was, we were taking time out, something that both Bec and I have been really lacking. I feel pretty proud that we have made the initial step because I know that forgetting "me" has definitly had an impact on the way I mother my children and the relationship with my husband. 
                                                                           
Do you spend time on you?  How and when?   Do you feel like you are a different mother when you do make time for you?  Maybe for you it isn't the gym, maybe it's reading a book, taking a walk, getting your nails done, writing a journal or coffee with a friend - I would encourage you all to make the committment at least once a week if you can.

As mothers it is too easy to say I will worry about me tomorrow but how do we stay happy, balanced people if we always put ourselves last? Perhaps the simple wisdom of Echart Tolle "if not now, when?" is something we should all adopt because when you really think about it, life is pretty short!
M x

Snap happy.

Tuesdays as mentioned in a previous post, is the day when all our mum's come into the clinic to catch up.  Many Tuesday's  we have a professional come in to talk about what they do and how it may be of benefit or interest to our Mum's.  So far we have had  Steve and Adam from Murray Chiropractic, Stu from Integrated Health Care,  Sue from Enjo, Hannah from The Smallest Things, Leah from  Bellies and Bubs and Kylie from What Can I Eat (to name a few). 

A couple of weeks ago Hailey from Hailey Sherrie Photography came and took photos of some of the babies whose mummy's are My Midwives clients.  The photos are the results of lots of patience and talent.

Incredibly the babies did sleep all nestled on top of each other.  When one woke we would just slip another sleeping babe into the baby pile in order to capture more magic moments.

We plan to enlarge some of the images and hang them in the clinic because they are so beautiful.
Mx