…and how this blog came to be.
TL; DR: I want to work in birth, but not right now. So I’ll write instead.
Matrescence- becoming a mother- is a change that can not be overstated. It’s a profound transformation, with so many parallels to adolescence. There are physical changes in the mother’s brain, in hormones, in her body that has carried and birthed life. There are mental changes, a shift in priorities, in perspective. Skills that are developed and honed. Social changes, as family dynamics shift and friendships are lost, changed or forged. Economic and career changes. The range of emotions you have seems to increase, and your heart swells with the intense, unconditional love for your new little person.
With all this change, there is an inevitable, but beautiful, identity shift.
At the time of writing this, I am 3 months postpartum with my second baby, and I have been a mother for over two years. In that time, my eyes have been opened in so many ways. Of relevance today, is that I have fallen in love with birth. I love the physiology of it. The divine miracle of it. The fact that it is the rite of passage for a woman into motherhood.
My personal journey includes both a hospital birth and homebirth. I was also privileged to attend the birth of my nephew. I have read books, listened to podcasts, done courses, and soaked in the stories from the women around me. I just can’t get enough!
I have also seen, firsthand, where the Australian maternity system is at. As a proud woman of science, I have always trusted that the health care system and it’s professionals were absolutely expert, operating in an evidence-based manner with their clients’ well-being at the centre of their care.
Well, that’s just not the case.
Well, I will just have to start where I am (on my couch, nap-trapped), with what I have: a bit of knowledge, a lot of passion, and some amazing experiences. I’ll write about all the things. Maybe no one will ever read it. Maybe it won’t be good. But maybe it doesn’t matter because this is for me. Until I am ready for the next step.
I have been deeply disappointed. Without getting too detailed just yet, the mainstream maternity system actually offers culture-based care, often ignoring contemporary research. Worst of all, the deep-rooted systemic patriarchy disempowers women, and puts them in danger of coercion, trauma and assault.
A fire has ignited in my belly.
Herein lies the crisis: I am a highschool chemistry teacher. I love my job, but I am also feeling a calling elsewhere. I want to work in birth and postpartum. It might- just might- be my vocation in my era of motherhood.
But how to embrace that vocation? I don’t know. I feel compelled to educate in that space – that’s the teacher in me. One of my fundamental beliefs is that knowledge is power. To do that, I’ll need to gain some more expertise, because who’ll listen to some birth nerd from Perth?
Gosh, I would love to study midwifery! More than that, I would love to be “with woman” in a clinical and pastoral role- then I could BE the change! Or maybe I am more suited to the work of the doula, emotional and practical, but not clinical? Or maybe the real change could be achieved by working in advocacy, educating and being the voice for other women?
Either way, now is not really the time. I have a toddler and a brand new bub, and I’m not convinced we are done having kids (being birth-obsessed has definitely got something to do with that!). I am also not done with teaching at my beautiful school. What exactly does that future look like? How do I fit this calling, and all the training I will need to do to get there, around my family?
Well, I will just have to start where I am (on my couch, nap-trapped) with what I have (a bit of knowledge, a lot of passion, and some amazing experiences). I’ll write about all the things. Maybe no one will ever read it. Maybe it won’t be good. But maybe it doesn’t matter because this is for me. Until I am ready for the next step.
Perth Birth Nerd 
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