10 Favorite Things about Birth

by Damaris | Aug 5, 2008November 28th, 2011 | Musings

10. Sunrise. So many mothers labor through a dark night and give birth when the sun comes up or soon after. The metaphors are obvious.9. Packing up my car after the birth is over. May sound strange but the energy in a home where birth has just taken place is intense. Walking outside to put my gear... Read More

Wrinkles in Time

by Damaris | Jul 6, 2008November 28th, 2011 | Musings

I was at the health food store with my oldest son recently and ran into the husband of a client. His wife had their baby last fall and then they moved out of town. We caught up on the baby’s progress etc. and then I introduced him to my son. I introduced him by his first name and later I... Read More

Timing

by Damaris | Jun 24, 2008November 28th, 2011 | Musings

Time is a strange thing for a midwife. Sometimes after being up all night for a birth I lose track of what day it is. The day a baby is due is called an Estimated Due Date (EDD) with estimated being the key word. A baby can safely arrive anytime within 5 weeks of that date so scheduling other... Read More

Birds of Prey

by Damaris | Mar 29, 2008November 28th, 2011 | Musings

I first began noticing large birds while riding around the rural counties I serve with my first apprentice who is a biologist and bird expert. Years ago she opened and ran a Raptor Center for rehabilitating injured owls, hawks, vultures etc. So whenever we were driving to prenatal visits she would... Read More

Matronalia

by Damaris | Mar 5, 2008November 28th, 2011 | Musings

The festival of Matronalia is celebrated on March 1st to honor Juno Lucina. Roman matrons and husbands would visit her temple, lay flower wreaths and pray for the protection of their marriages. The women would wear flower wreaths in their hair, receive gifts from their lovers, and everyone,... Read More