An OMazing Year
Happy Birthday OMazingBirth! My business turned one this past month. I am proud of my work and progress as a doula and educator:
I attended thirteen births in the past twelve months. After each birth, I drop a rock into a jar in my studio. Every birth I attended was filled with opportunity to grow and learn as a doula. The support that I provided undoubtedly was appreciated by the couple. But I often left feeling like the lucky one. I saw a new life born. It does not get old. Pam England wrote, “Birth is magical, not mystical” which I have come to understand in a deeper meaning. There are both similarities and differences in every labor and birth. The more of them I witness, the more I understand. A year later, I feel more comfortable in a birth room.• Yoga in my OMazing Studio flourished. I created a small community of new and expecting moms who practiced together or often just with me. The vibe is exactly as I imagined: warm, calm, and peaceful. Every student I taught appreciated the flexibility of the intimate setting. If their sleeping baby woke up, I paused the class. No big deal. Maybe the baby went back to sleep or maybe she joined her mama on the mat. Or some days, I held a baby while her mama practiced pigeon or rested in shavasana. The OMazing studio provided space to breathe, practice and relax. • Teaching at the University of Utah in their Perinatal Education department has been an honor and a challenge. The hospital is incredibly progressive. I appreciate the opportunity to teach diverse couples preparing for childbirth. Teaching my first couple of classes was hard! Being comfortable in the uncomfortable is a practice. However, the energy of the room is worth the work. Every student I encounter is excited to become a parent. Their hope fills me up. Simultaneously, I’ve learned so much being on the faculty. The University is dedicated to professional development. Last week I attended a staff meeting to discuss the ARRIVE study. (A Randomized Trial of Induction Versus Expectant Management) The researchers carried out the study to find out if elective induction of labor (using medicine to start labor without a medical reason) during the 39th week of pregnancy would result in a lower rate of death and serious complications for babies, compared to waiting until at least 40 weeks and 5 days for elective induction. They also wanted to see if inductions had an effect on the risk of Caesarean sections. (To read the results of the study, click here.) It has been widely debated and controversial. One of the lead doctors on the project is a University of Utah doctor. He participated in our staff meeting sharing the results of the study and his perspective. He answered our questions and was genuinely curious about our opinion. It was like being at the Sundance Film Festival in a Q&A with the film director. I loved it.• Six months ago, I created Hive Family Collective with two local women who are now my partners and friends. Hive focuses on connecting and educating postpartum families. We filed the paperwork in April to obtain 501(c)(3) tax exempt status. Every Tuesday morning, we host a weekly coffee for new moms called NewBee Mamas. Candace Roper, a local lactation specialist joins us every week to provide support and answer questions. When new moms connect, I am reminded of the importance of this work. Anyone who has a baby knows the fear and uncertainty of the first year. Everything is new. The lack of frame of reference is disorienting. Instead of wondering “is this “normal” in isolation, Hive Family Collective provides conversation to help build confidence, community and connection. In addition to to NewBee Mamas, every first Tuesday of the month, Hive Family Collective hosts a speaker to provide education and perspective. A local pediatrician, mental health counselor, behavioral sleep specialist and mind coach all donated their time and expertise to Hive this year. We are looking forward to the work ahead especially as we tip toe out of quarantine. • I hosted a workshop called “Rites of Passage” with a soul-sister, Heather DeFord this spring. We met with a handful of middle-school girls three Friday afternoons and talked about their changing body. Heather is a pelvic floor physical therapist and is passionate about anatomy and ritual. We shared facts about the female body and mensuration and educated the girls. In a safe space, we encouraged them to ask questions. We talked about what it means to be a good friend and how to navigate life at school. The girls gained both some new knowledge and few new friends. They created a text group and called it “love (heart emoji) my body” . That’s what we want, right? Middle school girls who love their bodies.• Lastly, over the past year I have deepened my meditation practice. I witness the mind body connection not just in labor but also in parenting. Personally, I am on a journey to become a more present, calm parent. When I create space between an event and my reaction the outcome is better (read: calmer). I breathe and give myself a chance to choose a response. It’s a work in progress but I am seeing progress. As a teacher, I focus on mindfulness in my childbirth and yoga classes. Pregnancy is a fantastic entree into this world of mindfulness. The mom’s are sober, clear and able to connect with their baby. Realizing that I want to formalize my training, I recently applied to Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield’s two-year Mindful Meditation Teacher Certification Program and was accepted. I look forward to learning and sharing my insights. The world needs more meditation. I really appreciate your support in my inaugural year of OMazing. It is truly a pleasure to work in this space. I am grateful to have you join me in my journey!