We Met A Midwife

We have chosen to see a midwife.
"Because we believe in witchcraft." -Jim Gaffigan
NOT!

But that's sometimes how I feel people see it when I bring up the topic sometimes.

I have written about the lack of options in Nebraska when it comes to actually having an option in providers and the lack of knowledge surrounding the need for a choice. It's something I'm very passionate about and could probably write for weeks on the topic.

But today I'm going to try to focus on us. Which is actually hard to do when talking about this topic. In Nebraska when you search for Certified Nurse Midwives you will find a pretty short list. Then try narrowing the search down to Western Nebraska? I'll tell you what you get- Nada, Zilch, ZERO. But then there was another criterion. I don't want to give birth in a hospital, Lord willing. I'm not kidding, my first choice would be home. I know, call me a hippie, or from um...the beginning of time? Do it. I'll like it. Anyway, when you add that stipulation-the preferably no hospital stipulation in western Nebraska-you basically go to negative numbers.

That left a midwife in Hastings whom I've heard is wonderful to work with in the hospital setting and the only free standing birth center in Nebraska, (i.e. a place where you go to have babies with Certified Nurse Midwives, Nurses, and possibly a Doula) The Midwife's Place in Bellevue, Nebraska. We felt for us, the Midwife's Place was the first logical step. Take a visit. We couldn't NOT check it out. So we did. Jerrel had to work the night before so I braved the interstate for the first time while he sawed logs and I managed by the Grace of God to get us there in one piece.

First impressions? It's in a strip mall.

Second impressions? It's beautiful, calming, welcoming, relaxing, comforting.

We met with a nurse she asked us some questions, we asked her some questions and I felt like I had come to the right place.

But back to the practitioners. Afterall they are what everyone seems to be extra curious about. The nurse I met with that particular day was funny and I instantly felt like I made a connection with her. And Heather, the midwife, the same. Everyone so very kind. In no rush, you and baby are their priority.

I heard this phrase more than once. "We are here to give you the best information and be your guide. Not tell you what to do." Ah, music to my ears. I didn't have to be worried about my choice in no ultrasound unless there is an issue. I didn't have to worry about being confined to a bed during labor. I didn't have to worry about feeling like a number, adearing to someone else's timeline, following their rules, guarding my beliefs, needs, and desires for my baby and I.

The biggest sign that I didn't want to go anywhere else? I left feeling calmed. I'd been having a wide array of emotions about this whole thing and seeming to have one thing narrowed down-that I wanted to see them for real, and have the baby there put my heart at ease.

So glad we were proactive and made a choice, that we ventured out. No default decisions for us.

Blessings!