pamela on Aug 01 2008 | Filed under: life of a midwife
A client of mine, who has been about 6cm for the past three weeks (her partner checks her off and on) experienced her water breaking yesterday morning. After weeks of contractions once the water released, contractions ended. As of last night, contractions started again but they’re far apart. This morning she called, emotionally exhausted (of […]
pamela on Jul 31 2008 | Filed under: life of a midwife
Today my daughter, Bailey, turns 14.
14 years ago at this time I was on my back, having been pushing for a couple hours, still having a couple more hours to go. Her 7lb 11oz body slipped out of me at 10.30am, after 29 hours of labor (only about 15 of it relatively active).
Happy birthday, […]
pamela on Jul 20 2008 | Filed under: births, life of a midwife
Last Thursday night I was at a birthday party for a friend when I received a call from a client’s partner asking us to come up for her labor. They had planned an attended unassisted birth and that’s how it all went down.
Dad caught his 9lb 4oz baby boy while we listened in the other […]
pamela on Jul 13 2008 | Filed under: life of a midwife, midwife practice
I have received so many emails (and phone calls) regarding apprenticeship that it still astounds me. I’m grateful to have the internet as a medium for putting out such a specific request.
Awhile back I was contacted by a student midwife looking for an apprenticeship. She wouldn’t be available until the first of the […]
pamela on Jul 10 2008 | Filed under: life of a midwife
My ex-husband and his wife had a baby boy, born at home early this morning.
Today is July 10. Another momentous event for my ex-husband that happened on this date? Our wedding.
Who knew that 15 years from July 10, 1993 he would be with another woman birthing a baby in his home?
(At least she’s a […]
pamela on Jun 27 2008 | Filed under: births, life of a midwife
Births four and five for the month of June:
A sweet baby boy, 8lbs even, to first-time parents that wanted an unassisted birth. They hired us and asked us to be there for the birth, but to be in another room unless asked or needed. We arrived around 3pm on Wednesday afternoon and after about four […]
pamela on Jun 07 2008 | Filed under: life of a midwife
I’ve been having major issues with my blog program so things have been put on the back burner for awhile. I’ve since worked out all the kinks (or at least I hope so!) and look forward to getting back on track.
I have had one birth since my last entry and plan on asking the mom […]
pamela on May 13 2008 | Filed under: births, life of a midwife
born this morning, into his mother’s hands in the water, after a three hour labor.
third baby (third boy!), first homebirth. at one point the eldest boy, who is about seven, said: “This is the happiest event in our lives!”
congratulations to the sweet family!
pamela on May 11 2008 | Filed under: incredible people, life of a midwife
I’ve witnessed over three hundred transitions of women crossing into motherhood as they birth their babies. Some new mothers, some birthing their twelfth child. No matter the number, no matter the mode of birth, the intuitive wisdom that comes with carrying a child in your body stays with you forever.
Happy Mother’s Day to those women […]
pamela on May 09 2008 | Filed under: birth story, births, life of a midwife
Third time mom, first home birth. Various due dates ranging from April 10 to April 27. Long prelabor, stop and start painful contractions for the past month.
Late last night, after a three hour labor, this beautiful mama birthed her 11lb 14oz baby boy into hers and her husband’s hands in the water.
What a different birth […]
pamela on May 06 2008 | Filed under: articles, birth trust, life of a midwife
Amie and Elizabeth over at The Birth Spool (if you don’t have their blog bookmarked, I recommend it!) interviewed me recently for their blog. The interview is found here - it’s a bit wordy (no surprise to those of you that know me in real life!).
pamela on May 04 2008 | Filed under: birth activism, incredible people, life of a midwife
Tomorrow (May 5) is International Midwives Day. Contact your favorite midwife (midwives) and send them warm appreciation (or some fabulous gift).
pamela on Apr 23 2008 | Filed under: birth trust, incredible people, life of a midwife
The bad things in life open your eyes to the good things
you weren’t paying attention to before. - From Goodwill Hunting
♥ ♥
The past couple months have been really challenging in both my personal and my professional life. Looking back I can see that it is clear I was being put to the test. […]
pamela on Apr 02 2008 | Filed under: births, life of a midwife
a beautiful baby girl, 6lbs 12oz (the exact same weight as two of her brothers!), joined a family that has three boys prior. their second homebirth, I was fortunate enough to be asked to attend both. labor started around midnight, baby born at 2.51am.
pamela on Mar 29 2008 | Filed under: life of a midwife
Spring is always about life changes and my life is no exception.
My girlfriend and I have parted ways.
While it’s a positive step for both of us, the most heartbreaking piece is our kids.
We have always had a strong friendship above everything else and have made a commitment to maintain this friendship.
So, here’s a picture of […]
pamela on Mar 21 2008 | Filed under: birth trust, births, life of a midwife
New parents welcomed their first baby, a boy, breech at home yesterday afternoon. Baby weighed in at 8lbs.
This week has been intense and I wish I could share more, but they’re not my stories to tell without permission (and asking for that has been the last thing on my mind lately). I’m glad […]
spamelita on Dec 04 2004 | Filed under: Uncategorized, life of a midwife, midwife practice, unlearning midwifery
My beliefs around birth were very different when I began this path nearly 8 years ago. I was trying to heal myself above all else - heal from a horrible birth that left a deep wound in the most sacred of places. Days in school were spent just trying to figure out where I […]
pamela on Oct 24 2004 | Filed under: life of a midwife
Both of my clients that are due are doing major prelabor, early labor stuff. It’s been a weird week because of it. I’m totally prepared in some ways, not at all prepared in other ways.
When I’m on call for a birth, I worry about clothes. I know that this is a pretty shallow thing to […]
