What Matters Most?
I was recently asked in an interview “What matters most to you? Why?”
It took me a little while to finalize my answer, as so many things rushed to the forefront as to why I have decided to do what I do. In the end, this is the response I gave:
“At the end of the day, I really just want to be able to use my knowledge, experience, empathy, and compassion to help support other birthers/mothers/parents thrive.
I truly believe that by helping to educate, support, and advocate for birthers, particularly those who are often overlooked, I can have a positive impact on their experience, their health (both physical and mental), and in turn it will begin to change the way that society views pregnancy, labor, birth, and the postpartum period. Ideally, this would then lead to more birthers/mothers supporting one another and creating those "villages" that we desperately need to prosper. The infant and maternal mortality rates in our country are much too high. I think by creating birthers that are more involved in their birth experience, more educated about the process, more comfortable with using their voice to express their wishes and concerns and more connected to others in their community, we would be able to help decrease those rates. There are still many other factors, that I unfortunately have no control over, but this is the one way that I can help make a difference. Even if I educate just one birther enough that they do not become a statistic, it will have all been worth it.
I want birthers/mothers/parents to know that I really do care and:
They are stronger than they have ever imagined; they are not alone, even on the hardest of days; it's ok if they need to lay baby in the safety of their crib while they rock out to death metal in the closet for a few minutes and sob, so that they can be "ok"; Even though EVERYONE says it, they really will be amazed at how fast time flies; believe it or not but chances are high that they will smell and even possibly lick (due to lack of sleep) a brown smear to determine if its poop, chocolate, or gravy; and despite what they say during pregnancy or at the time they give birth, chances are that they will forget the challenges and complaints of pregnancy and do it all over again!”
I have always enjoyed writing and so I figured, now is as good a time as any to add a blog to my website. I am hopeful that this can be a positive outlet for me and another way for me to educate and connect with other parents/potential clients!