The first ten years of my midwifery
career were spent being conditioned to a hospital based medical model of
midwifery practice. By chance independent midwifery took me on another
journey into a new phase of learning and relearning with women. This
expansion of my horizons has taught me a myriad of things never,
previously experienced.
This video was produced with a combination of photographs and home
video. Paula Martin, her family show us how easy and how safe it is to
birth at home in a family environment. Thanks to Paula and Geoff and the
many other families including my daughter-in-law and son, with whom I
have the privilege of being with continuously during pregnancy, through
birth to parenting, have inspired me. I have learnt how to listen and to
trust. Each of these women on their journey, have taught me to be
strong, less fearful and more confident in their individual ability. I
have discovered a wonderful innate intuitiveness that is barely
explainable, certainly not in a way my medical colleagues understand. I
have learnt about the innate skills of the newborn and their early
skills of communicating. With renewed confidence and understanding of
these new skills I began to realise how strong women really were. My
professional conditioned fear, of the birthing process began to
dissipate.
I thank all of these women during this journey and encourage midwives
all over the world to also journey with women. Build trust, be
committed, take time to listen carefully, learn about their strengths,
hopes and ability to be strong women, help them on the road to
parenting.
‘tis
they who teach me unique midwifery skills, to listen and trust. ‘tis
they who make my midwifery career exceptional, fulfilling and privileged
Produced by:
Melbourne Midwifery Specialist Services Pty. Ltd.
PO Box 247 Altona, 3018
e-mail: Information
© Copyright 1997
