More of the Midwifery Story

For those of you who don't know, I am currently in the process of becoming a midwifery student through a distance learning program of the US-based National College of Midwifery (www.midwiferycollege.org). I will be completing a minimum of 1 year of clinical experience (which I've already started) in addition to course work. Both the course and clinical work are overseen by my preceptor, the director/head midwife of the clinic where I am now working. Hilary Overton is from Texas and she and her husband started the Glory Reborn Clinic (www.gloryreborn.com) 4 years ago. Hilary studied to be a midwife through a similar program in Cebu 7 years ago. It is a delight to work with Hilary and the other experienced midwives in the clinic.
How did this opportunity come to be? Well it's an interesting story b/c there is no way i would have guessed i'd be doing this. Prior to moving here when I told friends I was moving to Cebu, at least 2 people told me of people they knew who had studied midwifery in Cebu. This peaked my interest as I had considered going to midwifery school years ago in Seattle but had just finished my nutrition degree and felt it was best to start making some money before borrowing more for school. Once again the idea of midwifery was planted in my mind. I thought to myself, "Maybe I could become a midwife while in Cebu, who knows?"
When Andrey and I were here the first time (in March), we got to talking to two Starbucks employees. They asked if we were living here and if we spoke Cebuano yet. Naturally we told them we were planning to move here soon and would need to study Cebuano. They began to tell us about an American missionary guy that they had helped learn the language. They mentioned that he and his wife were here working in a maternity clinic that gave free services to the poor. Excited and with the strange sense that God was up to something, we left our contact information and asked them to have the American missionaries call us.
They did contact us - not for the reason i was interested in but b/c they saw IJM on Andrey's business card. They had a friend visiting who was in law school who wanted to learn more about Andrey's work so that is what initially brought us together. We had Hilary and David over for dinner and I just couldn't wait to hear about the clinic. Hilary invited me to come and see it and soon I was asking if it were possible for me to become a midwife. Within the month I began working & studying at the clinic regulary. I am now spending close to 30 hours a week there.
I learned that depending on where we live, it is possible for me to practice as a midwife in the US and maybe Canada someday. Even though we really have no idea where we'll be living next (and when that will be), I've decided to go for the midwifery degree anyway, trusting that because i feel the Lord has led me, has given me excitement to do it, and has provided the resources needed, that he will open the door for me to practice some day in some other setting.
There is no doubt that as long as I am in Cebu and really anywhere else in the developing world I will have opportunity to work in some capacity as a midwife.
As for my nutrition and breastfeeding education experience - I'm using this knowledge all the time at the clinic. I'm hoping to help train some of the other midwives in these areas in order to better serve our clients.
I am simply elated that I get to do this work. I am beginnng to gain some confidence in a few areas. Just last week I got to "catch" my first baby! -Closely supervised by midwives, of course. I love connecting with and ministering to the women who come to the clinic. In addition to labor and delivery services, we provide prenatal care, education, postpartum checkups and have worship and prayer times for them. There are many opportunies to bless and encourage them. This is my favorite part of the work. And of course being a part of such an integral time in a family's life is a joy. Being a witness to God's activity in bringing life into this world is awesome. I am fascinated by the whole process and am learning a ton!
I hope to be better about sharing my thoughts and experiences from my times at the clinic on this blog. I hope you enjoy reading about it!