Mother's Intuition

I was visiting with a doula friend of mine recently. She was telling me about trying to find the balance between giving her clients good information about different things while making sure she wasn't pushing her own preferences or agenda. As a doula, her role is to give her client resources and evidence-based information, but respect her client to make her own choices, even if it's a choice she herself wouldn't make.

Within a short time of that conversation, I heard from a dear past client of mine. She was in the middle of getting ready to move, was newly pregnant, and was feeling guilty because even though she will be living far away from me and it may not have been possible anyway...she isn't choosing to have me be her midwife right now. Her mama gut to has told her that this baby needs to be born in the hospital. Although I wish that I could be there at ALL of her births, I was SO happy that she is trusting that sacred gift that is given to women... Mother's Intuition.

After visiting with these two women who are so dear to me, I continued to ponder on this amazing blessing that we have been given. I believe all women have this gift. I have seen many women who don't trust it, and have to learn or relearn to listen to it. I know it's tricky in a world with social media and strong opinions and influences on every little part of our lives. Those opinions seem especially strong and critical around subjects like birth and motherhood.... two of the most important areas of women's lives.

One thing I try to teach and work on with my midwifery clients, is to learn to listen and trust themselves. Sometimes it takes some practice. Time each day to be still can be a very effective way to get back intune. I believe in good research, evidence-based practices, and plenty of education. But when that is all said and done, there are times when only the mother knows specific choices that are best to be made. It's important that the people around her listen to her and support her.

I've seen the amazingly insightful influence of mother's intuition many, many times in the midwifery work that I've done. I've experienced it countless times as a mother. It has never led me wrong. I hope that more women can learn to trust that special gift they've been born with.