What do you think?

Yesterday I started studying with a licensed midwife and homebirth apprentice students. Of course, my path is a little different. It was such an informative class, words cannot express my excitement and anxiousness. After class, my mind was racing a mile a minute wondering if this is the path I should take. Unfortunately, health and medicine continues to get more and more political, making it harder for midwives to practice. I felt it strong yesterday. I know that I do not want to work in hospitals as a midwife because I am a bit of a rebel. Well maybe not a rebel, but I do not believe in interventionist births as a STANDARD. I realize that not every hospital birth uses intervention, but believe me when I say it is the STANDARD CYCLE OF HOSPITAL BIRTHING. I sit here contemplating how much will the CNM path change me - of course it will, right! My hope is to be that "diamond in the rough" if you will - I want to be the one, maybe literally, that offers women a more personable - full circle birth. Not treating them like they have a disease, etc. Am I living in a fantasy world in this thought?

There are pros and cons to both sides. Homebirths are amazing in so many ways! Birth center or hospital births offer financial stability and a consistent schedule. Which is most important to me? CNM's must be backed by a physician - is that easier said than done? Homebirth midwives take on EVERYTHING themselves which could mean long hours away from family. So, which is most important to ME? Everyday that I am in school working towards my goal I see myself operating my own birth center - yall know the plan. I can totally see it flourishing wherever I am. I think ultimately, my family is the most important thing to me, so I need some sort of middle ground. I am going to continue the path and see where it takes me...listen to my heart...and let it speak through my actions.