10 fingers and 10 toes

Friday afternoon 29 May 2009, Green Midwife Community Birth Services welcomed it’s first birth to the practice and all 10 sweet toes and all 10 long fingers were counted.  This brought up some thought as I cleaned the birth off my skin.  When my mom taught me about toes and fingers she taught me that my toes have special powers and since they are especially long, she taught me their main function was to pick things up...In time, I attempted to write with them...not so good.  The one thing I became quite skilled at was picking clothes off the ground and swinging them up to my hands so I could either put them on or fold them or hang them up.  It expedites cleaning by minutes, for sure.  The other thing is I learned my toes are my foundation, my roots and they spread like wings and spread really awkwardly but they give me great balance.  It is my platform.  My fingers, they are meant to touch, to spread warmth and to heal.  

At the end of my shower tonight, I lifted my arms up with exhilaration as I jump off this platform that has been so well supported by all those elders who walked this midwifery path before me and taught me.  The others who have endured this profession and all the hard work midwives have dedicated themselves to in order to persevere and hold a presence in our birthing community in the United States.  Today, I dove into the waters of a not so quiet sea and I know that I know how to ride waves, so I guess this is going to work out even when the waters are rough.

One other thing my mom and dad both did when we were little was taught us to count, of course, on our toes and fingers...and all things counted for, these 10 things are pulsing through my heart with importance tonight as I move forward in my work as a midwife:

1               Midwifery is in the fashion of adversity, in our culture, and I hope this changes (obviously) yet I can only commit to continuing to practice and play my role to impact the health and journey of families.

2              The journey of women, in birth, has been shortened and our power has been stripped from us and I often wonder what it is about women these days that scares them (truly) about birth, that encourages them to have their deepest seeded power lifted, and willing to give up their personal rite to a higher hand or authority.  If we still looked at birth as an event of empowerment, would women be fighting stronger and choosing other paths as they walk into motherhood? 

3               I believe (on a cellular level) that all women have the capacity to learn the phrase “My body rocks” and say it loud enough to their self that they feel it in their belly.  That this phrase alone can give women the confidence to believe in their beauty and power, it’s inevitable when practiced. 

4               Love your love warrior, even when part of that love and strength comes from your man, your partner, or from another support source.  Honor your support partner and LOVE BACK!

5               Clean off every experience. 

6               Each start is a fresh start.

7               Commitment to your authentic and true self takes work but it is such a beautiful feeling to know you.

8               I hope we have the consciousness in our country to really see that midwives do provide safe care and give great maternity care.

9               I hope midwives, as a whole profession, begin to collaborate more because we will only continue to be a divided force if we keep going head to head with one another.

10            I am overjoyed and blessed to announce that Lucia (Loo-CEE-ah) "Lucy" Mae Janssen was the first baby to bless the waters of Green Midwife Community Birth Services.  She is brilliant and long and our blessing.  Thank you Sara and Matt and Bella, and everyone else that joined us to begin. 

 Peace.