So... Why the path of a Midwife?

I have finally taken the plunge, followed my calling, accepted my path.  I have denied it too long or maybe this was just the right time.  Either way once I made the decision to finally do it I felt fulfilled in my career choice, something I was starting to think was unattainable.

I love my role as a Doula, and in the almost five years I have been doing it I have gained some incredible knowledge.  Most of which has led me to this decision.  I have seen woman violated over and over again by their doctors without the ability to speak up and prevent it.  Had I not had the advantage of seeing it numerous times with the hands off approach of trained Midwives I would have been completely unaware of how my clients were being denied the beautiful organic births they deserved.  My experience as a Doula became one of anxiety when walking into a hospital birth as compared to excitement when entering an out-of-hospital birth.

Even if the laboring mother was left alone by the nurses, anesthesiologists, and janitorial staff, which as a Doula I could try my best to ensure, as soon as the doctor walks in my role and ability to protect Mama becomes extremely limited.  Regardless of whether I knew the doctor was doing something unneeded and in some cases even harmful, as a Doula I am in no position to speak up and stop it.  I have seen doctors recommend c-sections due to "stalled dilation" without even a suggestion to mom to try a change in positions, while a mom with a Midwife who understands the physiology of birth works with the mother and the mothers body to get the cervix to respond and dilate.  I have seen very little tearing with the hands off approach with the exception of Perineal counter pressure, while I have on quite a few occasions seen doctors aggressively "massaging" the Perineal tissue and in doing so tear the tissue before the baby is even crowning.

I could go on and on, but for me the proof was in the Pudding.  We are graduating far too many Obstetricians into our medical society trained in antiquated practices based on unproven science.  If only OB's were required to do a hands off residency in a birth center or with an independent Midwife, I know that is completely unrealistic, but in a perfect world.  Since that won't ever happen, thank God we have the option to chose Midwifery care, well if you are lucky enough to live in a state where it is legal.  So after much thought and prayer I enrolled in a program through a local Midwife and asked a Midwife friend to be my Preceptor.  I am officially a South Carolina Apprentice Midwife, training and preparing to fight for the birth rights of women as long as the need is there.