Giving Back in May

This month we honor mothers everywhere.  Being a mother elicits so many emotions.  I spent a good portion of my life thinking that I could not be a mother.  There was no real foundation for that thinking.  It's just what I thought.  I remember asking my husband, "What if we can't have kids?"  God bless him.  He told me that we would just get another dog.

A.C.N.M. = American College of Nurse-Midwives

This month's featured charity came so easily.  I am honoring the American College of Nurse-Midwives Foundation.  Whenever I think of Mother's Day and motherhood in general, my midwives come to mind automatically.  During my pregnancies, I was tended to by midwives and both of my daughters were delivered by midwives.  The Foundation is run by a small group of volunteers whose mission is to support excellence in women's healthcare by developing and promoting excellence in midwifery.

I had the honor of speaking with Jan Kriebs, CNM, FACNM, President of the Board of Trustees.  She explained to me the fantastic things that the Foundation does within the community.  The Jeanne Raisler Memorial Fund encourages midwives who want to go abroad.  The Foundation sponsors scholarships for students pursuing careers in midwifery.  Community grants assist local groups seeking to educate patients about issues relating to healthcare.  In keeping with the promotion of excellence, the Foundation also sponsors research.

If you would like to make a donation to the American College of Nurse-Midwives Foundation, you can go to their website here or mail a payment to:

ACNM Foundation 
801 East Park Drive
Suite 100 
Harrisburg, PA  17111

PH:  (717) 703-0034

FX:  (717) 234-6798

If you want to make a donation to honor your midwife, include a note to that effect and the Foundation will print that in their newsletter. 
 

To get involved with the A.C.N.M., go here to find out how.  May 13-17 is ACNM Virtual Lobby Week 2013.  The goal is to "Speak Out For Midwifery."  In 15 minutes, you can help support issues concerning healthcare delivered to women and children and the midwives who provide this care to them.  For this month, I added the ACNM's Blog Feed to the bottom of my blog for those who want to read through it.

Tell me about your experiences with midwives.  This is truly a passion of mine so I invite you to leave me your thoughts on the topic.

Karina

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The Longest Minute Ever......

This is my baby Bina when she was just born.  The picture was taken with a cell phone.  In the excitement of her being born, we forgot where the cameras were.

Bina came into this world in 3 hours flat (well, 3 hours and 10 minutes).  My water actually broke, which I only thought happened in the movies and in textbooks.  I remember when I got the urge to push, my midwife and husband coached me along.  They told me her head was out and then my midwife told me to stop pushing.  The cord was wrapped around Bina's neck and my midwife was removing it.  She was so calm about it.  Even thinking back to that moment, it still amazes me at how focused and calming she was with us.  She unwrapped the cord, suctioned the fluids out of Bina's mouth and nose and continued to coach me along to keep pushing.  She never missed a beat.

When Bina graced us with her presence, she didn't cry right away.  It may have been a second or two.  It seemed like an eternity before I heard her cry.  When I finally heard those lungs sing to me, I cried.  The funny thing is that for months after she was born, and even now sometimes, I love to hear that initial cry of hers.  I think that minute-long second has stayed with me and I love that sound.  It reminds me that she is ok.  I told my husband that people will think I am the worst mother ever because I love to hear that initial cry of hers.  I obviously comfort her right away, as I did that day that she was born.  I guess when you know the story, I don't seem like such a bad mom.

When I think of that moment, I also think of my midwife who delivered our baby.  I can't stress enough how calm she was throughout the whole process.  I am in awe of it.  Bina was born in a birthing center versus Lyla who was born in a hospital.  The birthing center was set up like a luxurious spa - the decor, the aroma, the soft music, the jetted tub, the extraordinarily comfortable bed - simply amazing.  What's more amazing is that my baby Bina came home with us, wrapped in blankets and love.

What was your longest minute?  Or what was your birthing experience like?  Share your stories.  I love to read about them.

Karina

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