The Midwife

We went for our very first prenatal visit yesterday. And yes, that's how I'm going to announce that I'm pregnant and nearly out of my first trimester. I've been meaning to write it for ages, but didn't have the words. For the time being we're calling this baby kumquat (because apparently that's what size the baby is), but I've been instructed by papajama to stop that immediately if this little one ends up being a boy, because apparently that's not a masculine enough nickname if our baby has a penis.

So yes, babyjama will soon have a brother or sister. Anyway, we had our very first prenatal visit, and I have to give the midwife that we've chosen a rave review. She's exactly what you would expect an old timey midwife to be. She lives in a cozy home decorated with artwork dedicated to pregnancy and womanness. Her home smells earthy like a mixture of tobaco, musk. Her touch is warm and firm, but ever so gentle. As she measured my belly and felt around for our little kumquat, I was surprised by her gentleness. My past experience with prenatal appointments is of being prodded and jostled. I recently read Spiritual Midwifery, and wasn't sure that the kind of touch that Ina May described, existed in a care provider. I was able to so completely relax that our midwife was able to find our tiny baby in my belly, and I was even able to feel a small kick while papajama was able to feel the little lump from the outside.

Her questions centered around how I was feeling both emotionally and physically, but in a conversational way, not the interrogations that I'm used to. It feels like she focuses on all around well being, rather than numbers on a page, or some pre-decided qualifications for health. We are already on our way to building that relationship of trust that I truly think will give me the best possible birth outcome.

P.S. I'm missed you guys! What's up?