One of THOSE days.

I have to write about today. Today was one of those days that changes your life. It was one of those days where you feel like everything is right with the world - or at least that everything will be okay. It restores your faith in humanity, and you feel a sense of inner peace.

It was one of THOSE days. 

Yesterday began my first day as a member of the staff at the soon-to-be opening Atlanta Birth Center. I arrived a little early to our training because of camp-drop off early in the morning. As I was helping get ready for the day, I got to take a peak into the three birth rooms. They are based on the elements - water, earth, and fire. The rooms are spacious, roomy, and thoughtfully designed by members of the birth community. My favorite piece is wall canvas in the fire room that says,

"Some women fear the fire. Some women simply become it." 

-R.H. Sin

Although the canvas was placed there to inspire birthing mothers, I think it also speaks about the women who have come together to form this amazing place. It especially reminds me of Anjli Hinman, the midwife whose deeply burning fire (and insane amount of work) birthed this gift to the City of Atlanta and all its surrounding areas. Her fire, and her passion let loose a tiny ember 5 years ago as she stood by my side and attended the birth of my daughter. That ember lit a smoldering fire within me - one that recently ignited.

This morning, on our second day together, Anjli handed out cards and asked us to write three things:

1) Our dream/goal (professionally) for 1 year from now

2) Any fears about this new situation

3) What drives us

As we went around the room and shared what we had written, the nods of understanding, the compassion, and the true appreciation for what was being shared was beyond anything I have ever experienced. In other places I have worked, there have been 1 or 2, or maybe even 5 people who had this level of passion for the job they were chosen for and the people they served, but as this intense desire to provide exceptional, holistic care was shared among EVERYONE (even administrative and billing staff were involved in this exercise) you could feel the walls becoming permeated by loving energy. 

It was one of THOSE moments.

I have never in my life sat in a room as I felt the world changing, quite literally, as we spoke. With every intention shared and every bit of love that was spoken, we all took the first steps together to make big changes for the future of this community. I have never before been among a group of women where every.single.person shared such a deep desire to not only provide a safe and loving community for the women and families we serve, but also a community for each other.

Here are a few pictures from our training.... please enjoy!

Anjli welcoming the staff in the future family waiting area

Reviewing the mission, vision, and goals

Reviewing birth pools 

Labor support techniques

Postpartum hemorrhage drill led by Crystal and Erin (two of the midwives)

Learning how to assemble a condom tamponade

Christy (RN) assisted Crystal

Crystal demonstrates how it is inserted

Watching it inflate inside our model "vagina"

The last thing we did today was a really wonderful bonding exercise that involved us writing an attribute we loved or appreciated about our coworkers on a card on their backs. When we were done we practiced saying them out loud and internalizing them.

Sandi, our nurse manager

Anjli

This was my card. It gave me pause, and things to think about.

Although there is still a lot of work to do and our training isn't over (we still have another day this week), today made such an impact on me. I've been following the evolution of Atlanta Birth Center since I found out about it in 2011. Back then, it was just a dream. I dabbled a little here and there, attending a couple benefit functions - a red tent with Mayim Bialik and a presentation of Birth by Karen Brody and helping man an information booth at a parenting expo. I knew all along that even if the birth center opened before I was done having children I wouldn't qualify to birth there as a VBAC mother, but that never mattered. The drive was always there for me to support this as an option for women, because it was something that I never had available to me. And as I said in the letter I wrote to support the application for the certificate of need - I would have been first in line to deliver my first baby at a birth center if one had been in existence in 2009.

I never dreamed that I would be invited to be a part of the team providing this option to families. I am beyond grateful to have had the experiences in my life that led me to this place. I can't ever say it enough how much birth can change the world - for good or for bad. Just look at me! My terrible experience with my first child led me to the most amazing, empowering experience with my second (and subsequent births). But not only that, it led me to an amazing woman with a vision of changing the world - and she has invited me along! I'm soaking up every bit of wisdom from these amazing care providers, and I look forward to learning from the mothers, babies, and families whose stories are soon to be told within these walls.

Maybe one day I'll get to be a student midwife here....wouldn't that just be amazing?