TBBC Welcomes Wyatt Pace

First-time mom Juli was referred to me by a local birth center. I met Juli at a prenatal appointment and I knew we'd have a good connection right away. As soon as she walked out the bathroom (pee stick in hand) she gave me a big (one arm) hug and we sat and chit-chat in-bewteen receiving pertinent information from her midwife. Juli and I got to know one another at birthing classes, over lunch, and at prenatal appointments. We both felt lucky to have been introduced to one another, especially for such an important time in her life. Being first-time mom and first-time doula, I knew both Juli and I were going to be in for quite a treat. I arrived at Juli's at approximately 6:30 am. (It's amazing how quickly you get out of bed for some things yet hit the snooze button a million times for others.) Juli was in the bathroom with her mother coping with contractions that had been steady since midnight. My arrival seemed to calm her. I began breathing through contractions with her as well as helping her into different positions. Around 10 am Juli decided that she wanted to head over to the birth center. I was unsure of how the drive over would be, but Juli did well with handling her contractions and I was an efficient yet cautious driver, doula, and friend. When we arrived, Juli was 1 cm dialated and we were told that we had indeed come in too soon. According to the midwife, these were the contractions that Juli was supposed to be ignoring. Oh boy! Despite the midwife's advice to go home and get some sleep, Juli wanted to stay as she felt more comfortable at the birth center. During the 2nd or 3rd check, Juli had dialated to almost 5 cm and she decided to have the midwife to artifically rupture the membranes and get this show on the road. So, we stayed and she labored while in the shower and on the toilet. She hated laying on her back so the bed was a no-no and the midwife said the tub could slow down her labor. She seemed to enjoy the warm water in the shower, though. I stayed with her, reminding her to breathe and that "This is a good thing" and "This is what you've been waiting for." The midwife introduced these positive, encouraging phrases to us and they seemed to work with Juli. After laboring on her hands and knees for quite a while, it was time for the midwife to check her again, but this time Juli was very uncomfortable and in pain. Unable to check her, the midwife backed away which gave Juli the impression that she wasn't doing well and had messed up in some way by coming in so early. It was hard to get Juli back in a good place afterwards. I think it was at this moment that I began to feel ineffective. It was almost 7 pm, I hadn't had anything to eat and very little to drink and I was tired. At some moments, I was torn between running to her at every moan and keeping my distance while letting her labor and find her own rhythm. Around this time, my boyfriend had some food delivered and the midwife stayed with Juli while I ate. And, even though I was fully aware of doula's burning out and how important it is to make sure that you eat and drink regularly, I felt guilty eating and leaving Juli. I realized much later that I was playing two roles which is why I became burnt out so quickly. I was her birth partner as well as her labor companion, or simply put I was the "dad" and the doula all in one. When I finished eating, it was time to have a baby! It was thought that Juli had completely dialated and pushing had begun. Later, after about an hour of pushing the midwife found that Juli had a cervical lip and we began doing horsey blows instead. After 3-4 hours of lamaze breathing, attemping to sleeep, and not pushing, the midwife and assistant midwife checked her and they all agreed that she had given it her best and it was time to go to the hospital. EMS took Juli to the hospital where she was given an epidural which led to Pitocin which led to a her requiring a vaginal fetal monitor. After more time and no progression, Juli had a cesearean section where doctors found Pace was wrapped up in the umbilical cord twice. I'm unsure of whether or not it was a nucal cord (wrapper around the neck) or simply wrapped around an arm, shoulder, etc. There are situations where babies can be untangled from the umbilical cord during delivery, but being wrapped in the cord for a long period of time or too tightly can lead to hypoxia (lack of oxygen to the brain), low apgars, brain damage, or may lead to death. Both Juli and I share the same sentiments for cesearean sections. We feel that they are done unnecessarily and too frequently, but in cases like this they are life-savers. Juli's grateful to the hospital for their services. Juli and Pace are home and doing well.

"Birthing A Community": A Tribute To African American Midwives

On Sunday, March 15, 2009 I witnessed a community pay tribute to a woman, among many, who birthed a community. Her name is Mrs. Rebecca Green Jackson and she was awarded the 2009 Agnes C. Sherman African American Women in History Award last night. Mrs. Jackson (and this is straight from the program) belongs to the last generation of midwives who lived on St. Helenas Island, South Carolina.

Her career as a midwife began in 1962 when she entered the profession to help provide for her young, growing family. Mrs. Jackson attended training classes in midwifery at Penn Center, following which she continued her training at the County Health Department on a monthly basis. She worked under the supervision of a licensed midwife in the community where she made home visits and delivered five babies until her retirement in 1971.

While at the exhibit, I was in the women's restroom (of all places) when I heard someone saying "Thank you, Jesus; Praise God". When I saw who it was I realized it was the guest of honor, Mrs. Jackson. I was fortunate enough to speak with Mrs. Jackson and while talking to her I could tell that she felt very blessed on this evening. Mrs. Jackson and other midwives on St. Helenas Island felt that being "midders" was their calling from God. I can't say for sure that they even viewed it as a profession, even though it was. But, I can say with great certainty that they were as concerned with their patients spiritual health as they were their physical health. Midwifery was, and still is, much more than monetary means or a profession. It's providing good, wholesome, personalized care for a mother and her baby, for a family, for a community. When I think of my career as a midwife I think of giving back whether it's emotional support to the mom to keep her spirits while she endures this pregnancy, reassuring words to the family, or offering childbirth classes to young moms who may not be able to afford those classes otherwise.

Me and Mrs. Rebecca G. Jackson

The award-winning exhibit, "Birthing A Community", was loaned to York W. Bailey Museum for this momentous occasion. It was originally curated by Michaela Brown for Fairfield County Museum.

Birthing A Community is an exhibition on the history of midwifery in Fairfield County from slavery to modern trends in prenatal care. The exhibition offers a brief tribute to more than thirty midwives, including Verola Mapel, the last generation of midwives still living in Fairfield County today. The SC Federation of Museum presented the Award of Achievement to Fairfield County Museum for the quality of the exhibition.

I started this journey thinking of myself and now I realize that it wasn't all about me. God had other plans. He always does. :) Being on St. Helena's Island, I realized the rich history of midwifery from my ancestors. I even found out through speaking with my grandmother that her grandmother (my great-great grandmother) delivered her. Hearing that and learning about African-American women giving of their time and themselves to care for and nurture babies, black and white, further convinces me that this is the profession for me.

Curator Michaela Brown and Myself

I'd like to say a huge thank you to the York W. Bailey Museum for this awesome and inspiring event. Thanks to curator Michaela Brown for such a beautiful and educational exhibit and Fairfield County Museum for being so gracious in their lending. TBBC would also like to thank midwives everywhere for their continuous service to their communities. It's been a great weekend!

Where are the African American Child Birth Professionals?

I became interested in midwifery after reading about birth on The Farm in Ina May's Guide To Childbirth. I've always envisioned giving birth to my babies in a very intimate and personal setting. I want some of my favorite things present: dim lighting, scented candles, music, fruits, beverages, and keepsakes. I want to be able to labor in various positions which are beneficial for me and the baby. Additionally, I would like for my husband to be able to assist me in these positions as well as provide his touch through encouraging wordes and loving touches. Having been present at a few hospital births, I had never seen the type of birth I wanted for myself. So, you can imagine how quickly I feel in love with births on The Farm. So, that was my first true look at midwifery.

Since I've become a midwifery student and doula, I have access to various midwifery and childbirth resources and then it hit me. I realized that I haven't heard anything about African American midwives, doulas, childbirth educators, lactation consultants, NOTHING. So, now I'm adamant about finding African American child birth professionals. And, I got some awesome results that I'd like to share with you. But, first, if you or someone you know if an African American childbirth professional please make yourself known. TBBC would love to hear from you!

Live Well, Love Much, Laugh Often!

A premie laughing--doesn't that make you smile?

When's the last time you had a side-splitting laugh? I mean the kind of laugh where your stomach is in knots and you're drooling a little bit! Laughter is truly medicine for the soul. There's nothing bad to be said about it. It makes you feel good; It makes those around you feel good; And, most importantly, anything that makes mommy feel good is great for the baby. Remember, everything you feel, baby feels. So, if you've found yourself feeling stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed take a moment to take a load off.

If you haven't done something nice for yourself, go ahead and pencil in a pedicure, massage, succulent dinner, and a nice bubble bath. Call up a good friend and meet him/her for lunch. Have a game night or a blockbuster night with your favorite snacks. Anything that relaxes you puts you in a better place to deal with the natural stresses that come with everyday life whether you're pregnant or not. When you're in a good place and feeling confident, happpy, and positive about where you are and where you're going you're putting good vibes in the air while sending them to those around you and that precious baby who's with you at all times.

According to Elizabeth Scott with About.com, research has shown health benefits of laughter ranging from strengthening the immune system to reduce food cravings to increasing one's threshold for pain. There's even an emerging therapeutic field known as humor therapy to help people heal more quickly, among other things. Humor also has several important stress relieving benefits.

Stress Management Benefits of Laughter:

• Hormones: Laughter reduces the level of stress hormones like cortisol, epinephrine (adrenaline), dopamine and growth hormone. It also increases the level of health-enhancing hormones like endorphins, and neurotransmitters. Laughter increases the number of antibody-producing cells and enhances the effectiveness of T cells. All this means a stronger immune system, as well as fewer physical effects of stress.
• Physical Release: Have you ever felt like you "have to laugh or I'll cry"? Have you experienced the cleansed feeling after a good laugh? Laughter provides a physical and emotional release.
  Internal Workout: A good belly laugh exercises the diaphragm, contracts the abs and even works out the shoulders, leaving muscles more relaxed afterward. It even provides a good workout for the heart.
• Distraction: Laughter brings the focus away from anger, guilt, stress and negative emotions in a more beneficial way than other mere distractions.
• Perspective: Studies show that our response to stressful events can be altered by whether we view something as a 'threat' or a 'challenge'. Humor can give us a more lighthearted perspective and help us view events as 'challenges', thereby making them less threatening and more positive.
• Social Benefits of Laughter: Laughter connects us with others. Also, laughter is contagious, so if you bring more laughter into your life, you can most likely help others around you to laugh more, and realize these benefits as well. By elevating the mood of those around you, you can reduce their stress levels, and perhaps improve the quality of social interaction you experience with them, reducing your stress level even more!