As part of the Lamaze study program, I had to attend a seminar. Initially, I was unable to get in touch with the Massachusetts chapter of the program, so I registered for my seminar in New York. I believe that some higher power had a plan. I was supposed to be in Brooklyn this weekend.
The seminar would be at the instructors house. Mike and I stayed in New Jersey and our families watched the kids. Under normal circumstances, I would be incredibly nervous about what the weekend would bring. I'm a homebody who hates hotels and was unsure about spending my days in a strangers house. For some reason, I wasn't the least bit nervous. In fact, I spent the entire weekend totally comfortable, inside and out.
The seminar could have gone one of two ways. It could jive with all I had learned and the passion that I had felt in my studies or it could be a little too over the top and maybe not the right thing for me. Thankfully, it was right in line with the work I had done up to this point. I was slightly concerned that I would be too excited about what could be and too emotional about my own past for the rest of the group.
The group was led by Judith Lothian and Allison Walsh. Judy wrote this book and so many other wonderful articles. Allison has been a certified childbirth educator for 10 years and is a lactation consultant. She is also the past president of Lamaze International. I was VERY fortunate to be taking this seminar from two well connected, intelligent, knowledgeable and genuine women. My breif description doesn't do either of them justice.
My good fortune didn't end there. The seminar was made up of a group of 8 very diverse and passionate women. We all come from different occupations, cultures, family situations and childbirth backgrounds. Through our differences, we shared the same passion to make some serious changes in childbirth in America. I'm fairly certain that our instructors realized how driven we all are to achieve great things with Lamaze and recognized what an amazing group of women were sitting in that Brooklyn living room.
We spent three days working closely together, learning, sharing and planning. We stayed late every day and I don't think any of us minded too much. We know that we're setting out to do some important work. I've left out nitty-gritty details for a few reasons. With too much detail, you would be reading for days and much of what was discussed was emotional for all of us. I'm still trying to process much of the information. If you're really curious, ask my poor husband. I'm sure he got far more details than he ever wanted as I talked his ear off at dinner each night.
We left the seminar with promises to stay in touch. These are not your typical "we should stay in touch" promises. One member organized an online group for us. We've got a project we're collaborating on and will be meeting again in January. We're innovators who will use our passion to work together and do great things. Admittedly, I had a moment of being discouraged since I'm the only member of the group who does not live in New York. It might take a little more work for me to remain a part of this group, but it will be worth it. When I searched for Lamaze members or instructors in my area, they are few and far between. I'm happy to have a support system while still having some relatively untouched territory.
The content of this blog could never express how grateful I am to have connected with all of these fabulous women. The experience not only helped to drive my path forward with childbirth education, but provided some degree of closure on my own issues with my birth experiences. I have found an appropriate way to channel my energy and can't wait to get started. When I embarked on this journey, I was excited that I would probably only be working part time. Now, if the opportunity presented itself, I believe I would work with Lamaze on a full time basis. (Did I really just say that?) However early it may be, I think I may have found my calling and my place.
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