The Ina May Weekend

My work at the birth center is an integral part of my life.  In many ways, it does not seem right to call it work.  Midwifery is so much more than a profession; some refer to it as a calling.  It becomes a core part of your lifestyle and a defining part of your character.  I am proud to be a midwife and cannot imagine doing anything else.  Like many midwives of my generation, I was partially inspired by the work and writing of Ina May Gaskin.  She has been referred to as the Mother of Modern Midwifery and is the author of several groundbreaking books, including Spiritual Midwifery.  When I was pregnant with my first child, I found Spiritual Midwifery and it is part of why I chose the path of midwifery.

Recently, I was blessed to have the opportunity to meet and spend time with Ina May.  (I briefly mentioned this in my previous post titled, Powerful Weekend.)  A midwife friend, Samantha McCormick, who owns Baby Love Birth Center in Florida was hosting a screening of the new documentary Birth Story and Ina May came down to present it.  I was invited by my friend to join the fun and thanks to my generous boss, was able to make the trip.  And boy o boy was it worth it!  The documentary is amazing; funny, insightful, inspiring and truthful.  Luckily, there are  screenings all over the country, you can learn more at http://watch.birthstorymovie.com/  .  I highly recommend seeing it if at all possible.  You will laugh, you will cry and you will hopefully be inspired!

It is an intimidating thing to meet an icon, and I was more than a little nervous.   Sharing dinner with Ina May and several other wonderful midwives is an experience that I will never forget.  I found her to be warm and welcoming, with a wicked sense of humor.  I was somewhat nervous about coming off as a groupie, but was quickly reassured by Ina May's open, down to earth demeanor.  In hindsight, I am grateful and happily surprised that I was able to sit with this group of midwives and feel like an equal among peers.   This “work” is fulfilling and beautiful but it is also exhausting and demanding.  To have the opportunity to be in a circle of other midwives from around the country, including Ina May Gaskin, was a powerful way to re-charge my batteries.