I have been working in maternity publications for many years, so long before I became a mother, I had already heard a lot about the role of midwives and had interviewed a few of these professionals that the RAE defines as “a person specially authorized to attend the women in labor “.
Their role as accompaniment is now, in the time of Covid, even more important than ever, when the fear of going to hospital paralyzes future mothers, but without a doubt it has always been, since time immemorial. Therefore, although we could recognize their work any day of the year, we have decided to do it today May 5, “International Midwives Day” , and I do it from the heart, from my own experience, although it may not be the most representative. , is the one that I lived during the pregnancy and postpartum of my children, because thanks to them I gained confidence in the surprising path of motherhood.
Without Sara’s help I would not have been able to breastfeed my daughter
The UN declared May 5 as the International Day of the Midwife in 1992, with the aim of valuing and recognizing the value of midwives or midwives in caring for women during their pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum. And, many voices bet because they are the professionals who are best prepared to do so.
I do not doubt it, after meeting many of them for professional reasons and their knowledge about the care of the mother and the baby and their closeness and affection when explaining how they should be, they have always helped and comforted me, personal level and as an informant.
But today I want to talk to you about that human part, which was essential during my two pregnancies. I got pregnant with my first daughter without looking for him, so he had not informed me about the new stage that was beginning. In fact, I wasn’t sure where to start, until my Social Security gynecologist recommended that I make an appointment with the Primary Care midwife, who could help me.
Back then, I was working as a TV reporter, so my hours were endless: I never knew when I might get away. In addition, the cameraman and I covered many distances by car, so it was difficult for me to fit my new reality as a pregnant woman into my day-to-day life. So it took me a while to follow the gynecologist’s recommendations, but when I did, my life changed. How I regretted not having done it sooner!
When I opened the door of the office the first day, I found a woman a little older than me, with a big smile on her face who invited me to sit down. I remember that while I was asking myself the usual tedious questions about my health and the development of the pregnancy, I thought inside that what a waste of time. We listened to my baby’s heart and my attitude completely changed.
He took a good time with me, so my doubts surfaced without looking for him and when I wanted to realize it, I felt like I was talking to a friend. And that’s what it became. I attended her prenatal classes, where I met other mothers with whom to “share fears and joys” and where I learned that I was no worse mother for being afraid of the unknown.
Sara accompanied me throughout my pregnancy with infinite patience, solving all my doubts with the wisdom of experience and even offered me useful tips to manage the first days with the baby at home.
He never got angry if I was late for a consultation or if I skipped a class or workshop. On the contrary, I tried to catch up for another session, which in a job as unpredictable as mine was great for me and saved me a lot of stress of wanting to get to everything and not succeeding.
Thanks to her, too, I faced the delivery more safely and was even able to not rush to the hospital when the labor contractions began. I knew I had a few hours ahead of me. It is true that she did not accompany me during the delivery, because she worked in the health center, but her advice helped me to cope better.
Until it was time to breastfeed my daughter and all the theory that I had learned was in borage water. And there was Sara again to help me: thanks to her I did not give up breastfeeding almost at the beginning. Kenya seemed not to want to get hooked and even though I spent the day teasing her, nothing came out there.
So just three days after I became a mother, I dialed her phone number and she did not leave me in the lurch again. He directly taught me the best posture for breastfeeding and convinced me of the importance of breastfeeding on demand. Also, she taught me how to heal her belly button and even put her first earrings on her. I will never forget everything that helped me.
Luis, a midwife in a women’s profession
I will not fool anyone. When I became pregnant with my young son, I did not hesitate for a moment to find a midwife to accompany me during the nine months. Despite already having experience in motherhood, I wanted to have your support from minute zero. For this reason, when I arrived at the consultation and met Luis, I doubted a lot, simply because he was a man. Until we started talking. His slow voice was instantly reassuring and his experience as a father, as well as his years of profession, made him answer any question decisively but without arrogance at all.
Luis never judged me, not even when I told him that I was terrified that something bad would happen to my baby and that he wanted to do all the possible prenatal tests to detect any possible alteration. He understood that it was a consequence of my profession, of talking about everything that can go wrong, but that did not mean that he was going to leave … He became almost a confidante, so with Yago already in my arms, I continued going to his workshops breastfeeding, baby massages, gymnastics for mothers with their children …
And we even kept in touch afterwards, for years, as he became one of my favorite advisers in a multitude of articles because he explains everything so well, so practically, that I was convinced that I could help other mothers-to-be. And I know it did.
But before ending my personal experience, I would also like to have a few words for Encarna, the midwife who attended my delivery at the Madrid maternity ward where Yago was born, who has led me by the hand since I entered with contractions already about to give birth. and that he did not release me until I was discharged two days later. With her the pains of childbirth became more bearable, always encouraging me with a smile and her firm and confident voice.
I am convinced that, thanks to her, how she led the delivery, it was quick and easy, what every pregnant woman dreams of. Encarna was the first to hold my baby and take care of us the two days we were in the clinic. Everything was so easy and I felt so pampered that we returned later to try to thank him a little for how much he gave us.
For this reason, on a day like today, which aims to highlight the important role of midwives, I have not been able to speak of those three professionals who crossed my path and that of my children. With people like them, pregnant women can feel safer, even in this time of a pandemic. From here, thank you a thousand times.
Photos | iStock
In Babies and More | Ten facts about midwives in the world, the United States seeks to incorporate more midwives in its hospitals to reduce the rate of complications during childbirth, The role of the midwife in childbirth is very important, how has your experience been?
