Andrea Mietkiewicz CPM, Homeopath
In 1987 Family Nurse Practitioner I worked closely with mentioned in passing that she was planning to have her baby at home. She was almost term at the time, and I was stunned. I had never heard of this in modern times, and it seemed like a very scary thing to do. I respected this woman, so this started me thinking.
It was about 2 years later, and I was pregnant. I started visualizing labor and birth, and explored the possibility of giving birth at home for privacy. I was a full-time Emergency Department RN at this time. Quite a few of my colleagues had babies while I worked in this ER, and the nurses were all buzzing when one of us went into labor. The ER staff was first to hear that the baby had arrived, and a Polaroid photo was taken as soon as possible of mother and baby, and then posted on the bulletin board for all to see. I always felt sad for the mom, no privacy and everyone looking at her in a hospital gown, IV still running. No matter how well intended, I was not going to be one of these women.
I sought out the homebirth midwife, a CNM with years of experience as a midwife. Well, she was a nurse, a CNM, so it must be safe? Right? When I entered her home for my first prenatal visit, she was nursing a very chubby 15mo old with a huge face. Again, I was stunned. I had never seen anyone nurse a child of this age. At our clinic, you were lucky to see a mother continue nursing for 6 months. I have learned so much from this midwife, who today is my midwifery partner, my mentor, and my dear friend, Elektra Nancy Duncan.
Although I had been a nurse for 13 years, I realized how little I knew about pregnancy and childbirth. Like any good student, I began reading volumes. Spiritual Midwifery and Heart and Hands were recommended, while Pregnancy Month by Month was discouraged. It was a great time in my life, and I felt like EVERYTHING was expanding, both mind and body. Prenatal visits were spent talking about what I was eating, was going on in my life, what I was reading and learning, whether I happy or under lots of stress. It took no time to become close to my midwife and birth assistant/apprentice. They knew me well.
At about 6 months gestation I was treated with homeopathic Natrum Muriaticum for swelling, despondency, low energy and not feeling well in general. Within 2 days I felt like a huge load was taken off my shoulders, and I felt light. This is when I contacted the National Center for Homeopathy and began studying using their guide. I had to find out what this medicine was, and bring it back to clinic where women like me were patted on the hand, eventually delivered by cesarean section. Now I felt a responsibility to share what I had learned.
I carried my daughter into my 43rd week of gestation, being on bed rest for the last 2 weeks for hypertension (elevated blood pressure) and swelling. This was followed by a very efficient 6 hr first labor and birth, and a vigorous 8.5 lb baby girl. Nothing was more necessary than the quiet room, the close circle of women present, their hands, the hot compresses, and their soothing words. I chose to labor on hands and knees for the entire labor, and delivered standing after 2 hours of pushing. I felt proud of my accomplishment, and happy to be surrounded only by my midwives and a few close friends. I was very glad to be at home.
My "apprenticeship" started before I realized what was happening. My daughter was 2-3 months old, and Nancy asked me to do a postpartum visit for her. A woman in my area had just had her 6th child, and Nancy hoped I could visit and report back on how she was doing. This was great fun for me, a proud and happy new mother, going to spend time with another newborn and family. Of course, I learned more from this woman and her experience than I was of help to her! I continued to do more of this, attended some prenatal visits with my midwives, and soon was asked if I would like to attend a birth. YES!!! Very soon after the birth I was told, if you want to keep doing this, you need to learn more. So, by surprise, I started a career in midwifery. I did want to do more of this! I enrolled in the Ancient Art Midwifery Institute course for out-of-hospital midwives. I finished the 3-year course in 2 years, and later took the NARM (National Association of Registered Midwives) exam in 1995. It was much later before I took the CPM (Certified Professional Midwife) exam (2005).
After my midwifery course was finished, and having the habit of always studying, I enrolled in the New England School of Homeopathy course for licensed professionals. This took another 3 years. I started attended lots more births when this was completed. To date, I have attended about 150 women.
Who am I now? I am a nurse working full-time in a free clinic as a Clinical RN and Maternal-Child Health Coordinator. I have office hours at home for homebirth prenatal visits and homeopathic consultation two to three evenings a week and on Saturdays. My 18 year old daughter, living at home, is a senior at John Bapst Memorial high school, and will be entering the University of Maine in 2009. We have two horses, four cats, and a bullmastiff puppy. Families who have birthed with us become extended family, many coming to visit, to enjoy pony rides, or just have a meal together. After sharing such an intimate time in life, there will always be a special bond between the midwife and family, and always joy seeing the children growing up. My life is very full. I am content and at peace with things. I practice yoga, and keep a spiritual focus. I aim to live in the present, always working to improve myself and be of help to others. I best love time at home: the woods, the garden, time spent with the horses and in the barn. Because our home is spacious, I love being able to host meetings here for midwives, our local doula group, and for mother and baby reunions. This home is the future site of the Clear Light Birth Center, possibly opening in 2013.