I’ve wanted to start blogging for quite some time, and I don’t feel like I’m a great writer. While I’ve let that stop me for some time I’ve now decided to just do it- start writing, start sharing, just start!
Becoming a Midwife is a long term goal, and it is proceeded by many smaller goals. My first short term goal is to take the math placement test and enroll in a math class at the local community college for the fall term. The majority of my other goals are more midwifery related, and more fun, but no more important. The math pre-req is very crucial to one of my longer term goals: enrolling in formal school in August 2009.
I guess I should backtrack and talk about who I am a bit. I’m Cheryl, a 20 yr old aspiring midwife in Florida. I am a birth Doula, and a midwife assistant in training. I am married (since August 9th of this year), to the most wonderful, sweet, handsome, and supportive man. He is my best friend, my advocate, my encourager and my favorite person in the world. Even though I know he doesn’t get my passion for birth he stands behind me always, which I feel proud to be able to say. I hope that he understands how grateful I am to have him. We don’t have any children yet, and I look forward to the day that G-d brings a baby into our life and home. I am Jewish, and I hope to become closer to G-d through this journey into the mysterious, miraculous world of birth.
So now, back to my goals! Here is my list of things I hope to do, and the dates I’d like to achieve these things by.
Take the Math Placement Test by November 20th 2008, enroll in corresponding Math class
Send in My Cert. Package to DONA by Thanksgiving (and my BIRTHDAY!) 2008
Do my NPR (neonatal resuscitation program) to train as a Midwife Assistant and do corresponding training by New Year’s Day 2009
Do some sort of Birth Doula Marketing by January 20th 2009
Start a monthly meetup of Student and Aspiring Midwives in my Area- January 10th 2009; first meeting by St. Valentine’s Day.
Take VBAC support class by March 1st 2009
(If money permits) go to Midwifery Today Conference in March (third week) 2009
Take a 40 hour Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) class in May 4-8th 2009
Finish Training to be a Postpartum Doula by April 30th 2009
Complete Training to be a Infant Massage Instructor by June 20th 2009
Complete Training to teach Childbirth Education by July 31st 2009
Go to the DONA Conference in August 6-9th 2009
Start Midwifery School in August 2009
Now that that is all typed out, I’m a bit overwhelmed. I hope very much that I can get the money together to pay for all of this learning too! I believe that G-d is right by me on this journey. I guess I better get busy so that I can achieve all of these credentials and meet all of these goals. Thanks for reading, and I hope to update weekly or more often, although I make no promises, as the world in general (and birth in specific) doesn’t always act as expected, or follow timelines.
