Update for January, 2010

Once again, I'm back on Blogger... I'm really not sure how many people read this. So I usually just post on Facebook.
The 23rd of this month marked a Year since the accident lauren and I were in... What a Great God we serve! And how happy I am to serve Him! Without His protection both lauren and I wouldn't be here. I would be dead with a tube from the car through my chest, and lauren would've been thrown through the windshield. Few people know just how close it was... Praise the Lord!
Currently I'm waiting on a momma who's 9 days overdue with her 2nd baby. She'll be delivering at St. Francis. I also have another momma due on the 7th, she's going to have a homebirth with one of the Midwives in the Richmond area! I'm so excited to finally attend a real homebirth! (all I've been doing so far is hospital births, and one unassisted.)
In December 2009 I began part 2 of the Midwifery Academics with Charis Childbirth after a 2 month break. My projected plan is to be finished with that within 8 months to a year. I've also started "Postpartum doula-ing". It's so much fun and I just love caring for sweet young babies while giving their mothers a chance to take a shower, eat, or even go out for awhile.
I'm still working with the 3 year old boy with Downs Syndrome. He is so sweet. I'm learning so much fron working with him. Going to speech and OT every friday, and organizing his learning activities. I also just recently took up massage, mostly prenatal, but some plain massage. I really enjoy it, and it'll help me with school. The Lord always provides, does He not?
I'm also teaching piano 2 days a week still. Currently I have 18 students that come here, and 2 I teach in Richmond. (20 total.)
That is my life in a nutshell. Of course there is the occasional social engagments that come my way. Or Doula/Midwifery workshops.

The Lord is still leading, "Day by day". It's a continual journey of faith and trust in the Almighty. But the Lord is showing Himself powerful, resourceful, and loving.
I owe all to Him!
God Bless!
~Kate

Ramblings of a Student Midwife...

As usual, I take my time with posting.... I've just been so busy!
Recently I've attended 2 births, one at MCV/VCU and another at St. Francis. Both went well! I'm currently working 3 jobs, delivering babies, working as an attendant for a 3 year old with Downs Syndrome, and teaching piano. Plus I'm in School with Charis Childbirth. (www.charischildbirth.org)
I'm attending births as a Doula right now, until I'm able to get an apprenticeship with a Senior Midwife lined up.
As far as I know, I'll be in school for another 2-3 years. I hope to be a CPM by 25. (That's 5 years from now.)

Attending births as a Doula has been great! If you want to see my website about my doula services go here...www.heartofadoula.webs.com.
Thanks for reading! And God Bless!
~Kate

Free Doula Service-- Pregnant Moms Wanted!!!

Free Doula Service- Pregnant Moms Wanted! Hello!
I'm offering my services for a limited time to the community. However, I'm only taking 3 clients for this special offer. All I ask is that you pay travel expenses. E-mail me for more information.
Please viem my services page and about me page for my birth package information.

After the 3 free slots are filled, I will be taking an indefinite number of mom for only $200 (a $300 discount!).
I serve hospitals in Richmond- St.Francis, St.Mary's, MCV/VCU, and several more.

Call or email me...
804-363-7422
heartofadoula@gmail.com

Hurry, this will fill fast!

Hello everyone!
It has been awhile. I thought I'd go ahead and update, or ramble, as the case may be. Things are all well here. Lauren's doing much better after the accident. I'm attending lots of births this month, and teaching some birth classes.
Today is a ball in Amelia lauren and I are going to. We are all praying it doesn't rain. I hung the laundry out on the line in Faith (or stupidity). Haha.

Right now I'm reading a book about "Praying the Names of God", it's been very good. There are so many names of God, that if you just pray them in faith- He becomes that to you! How neat is that?! Not that He isn't all those things already- but it just becomes real to you, and you begin operating in it.

I'm still doing Charis Childbirth, and hope to be a certified doula by the fall. I'll be teaching a birth class this fall, if anyone's interested. I hope to be moving to Roanoke to apprentice to a midwife up there at some point in the next year or so. That is my goal, anyway.
check out my website- and become member. That helps my business "get out".

www.heartofadoula.webs.com

On MAY 23rd we are holding another prayer watch here in Amelia, I hope some of you may be able to come. Call or e-mail me for more informaton. We will dance, pray,sing, and dance come more for the Lord, Yeshua!

Well, I'd better go, I've got things to do- and more laundry to hang.
~Kate

Not Alone.

You're Not Alone

I search for love
When the night came and it closed in
I was alone
but you found me where I was hiding
and now I'll never ever be the same
It was the sweetest voice that called my name
saying

You're not alone
for I am here
let me wipe away your every fear
My love I've never left your side
I have seen you through the darkest night
and I'm the one who's loved you all your life
All of your life

You cry yourself to sleep
cause the hurt is real
and the pain cuts deep
All hope seems lost
With heartache your closest friend
and everyone else long gone

You've had to face the music on your own
but there is a sweeter song that calls you home
saying

You're not alone
for I am here
let me wipe away your every tear
My love I've never left your side
I have seen you through the darkest nights
And I'm the one who's loved you all your life
All your life

Faithful and true... Forever
For my love will carry you....

You're not alone
for I am here
let me wipe away every fear... Oh yeah
My love I've never left your side
I have seen you through your darkest night
Your darkest night
And I'm the one who's loved you all your life
All of your life

Please do this for Lauren

Hey y'all.
I am going to(with you alls help) make a scrapbook for lauren to give to her when she gets home. (either wed, or thurs).
It'll be of all the things you've said, and well wishes, get well soons, etc. I'll make it as colorful as possible.
If you would like to contribute please send either a card, or e-mail, picture whatever, to me. Or just bring it over. Whatever.

katydid89@gmail.com

or

21400 Perkinson Rd
Jetersville, VA 23083


It can be anything, letter, paragraph, etc. I'll either print it off or cut it out and put it in the scrapbook. Make sure to sign your name.
THE MORE THE MERRIER>>>> PASS IT ON>>>>>

POST IT SO OTHERS CAN SEE IT
If they don't have a blog, send it to them!!

thank you so much,
~Kate

Please Take action. This will affect my midwifery practice in the future. Thank you!!

ACTION ALERT: Anti-Midwifery Bills in the Virginia House of Delegates HB 2163 and HB 2167

Please take action now to stop two bills introduced into the House to limit the practice of Certified Professional Midwives. These bills have been introduced by Delegate Matthew Lohr- Harrisonburg.

URGENT: Please send him an email TODAY telling him that you would like him to pull these bills from the docket and to work to help increase access to midwives, rather than restrict it. You can also call his office: (804) 698-1026.
NEXT: Contact your legislators and tell them that you oppose HB 2163 and HB 2167. You can visit the VA Birth PAC to find out who your legislators are and register to receive updates on this important issue.
STILL MORE: Contact everyone you know who lives in the Harrisonburg area. Ask them to contact Del Lohr TODAY to express their concerns about these bills. He filed these bills for a single constituent, he needs to hear from 50 who oppose them.
STAY TUNED: We will be sending updates through all available channels. If you are not registered with the VA BirthPAC…please do so NOW! We need all of our voices united!!!!!!


More info about these bills:
HB 2163, is a bill to amend § 54.1-2957.9 (the CPM statute).
What is wrong with it:
The proposed legislation would add an amendment requiring midwives to give informed disclosure to their clients about the risks associated with home deliveries and with some specific pregnancy conditions. This legislation is redundant to the existing statute that already requires that licensed midwives in Virginia hold the designation of Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) and practice according to the standards of the National Association of Certified Professional Midwives.
· CPMs are required by their certification to give a written informed disclosure regarding their experience, training, and the risks and benefits of home birth to every client at the beginning of care.
· The NARM Job Analysis (cited in the VA statute) specifies the principles of informed consent and the conditions that may require additional education and informed decision making. The conditions cited in HB 2163 are included in this list.
· The NACPM standards of practice (also cited in the VA statute) refer to informed consent and requirements for education and information of CPM clients.
· The Virginia Licensed Midwife regulations already require that informed consent be obtained before any invasive procedure is performed.
Our biggest concern is that by opening the CPM statute, we will be vulnerable to other amendments that will not be redundant.

HB 2167 is a bill to require the Board of Medicine and the Department of Medical Assistance Services to review regulations and policies to ensure that no reimbursement is made to certified professional midwives providing services in high-risk situations, including high-risk home deliveries.
What is wrong with it:
· This legislation is discriminatory to low-income women. Any woman who qualifies for Medicaid is designated “high-risk” based on her socio-economic status. Midwifery care, by way of its hallmarks of increased education, support, and respect, has been proven to benefit women who are at risk for pregnancy complications. Evidenced-Based Care does not support restricting access to home birth to women based on perceived risk. This is a bill intended to discourage VBAC, thereby mandating surgical deliveries to women with prior c-sections in some Virginia communities.
Thank you for your time and attention to this important issue. We have accomplished so much together, let’s not let anyone take away what we fought so hard to obtain!

Brynne Potter, CPM
Commonwealth Midwives Alliance