Childbirth - Parenting

Beginning in Detroit

There is benefit in having fresh perspectives. I want to be a life-long learner, seeking truth.

Many years ago, I started my nursing career at a Detroit hospital. I worked in the labor/delivery unit, learning the medical aspects of childbearing.

When I was expecting my first baby, I was introduced to Lamaze classes. Eventually I became a Lamaze instructor. I gained an understanding of relaxation skills and ways to guide a woman through the stages of labor.

Years later, while working for a home birth practice, I saw limited medical interventions during childbirth. And I saw the tension between home birth attendants and hospital staff. Home births and hospital births, both have benefits and risks. I believe hospital-based obstetricians and home birth midwives could learn from each other and find synergy, if they were open to greater communication.

During our years of parenting my husband and I had different views and ideas. We needed to communicate and learn from each other.

Life lessons continue. When controversial issues arise, are we willing to listen to different viewpoints? My hope is that we can listen well and observe carefully without prejudice. Let’s be open to fresh perspectives. 

This week I have been participating in a writing challenge with Hope Writers. Each day I have been posting a picture with some thoughts on instagram. This is my take on today’s prompt: FRESH

I am sharing this post with Five Minute Friday .

Carol is a follower of Jesus and a wife, mom & grandma. She worked for many years as a childbirth nurse and prenatal educator. She recently retired from clinical work. She has written articles for nursing journals and devotionals. Her novel, Aliisa's Letter, was published in 2010 and she is currently working on another project.

9 Comments on “Beginning in Detroit

  1. I really enjoyed reading this post. Wise words. (And you look so cute in the picture.)
    Visiting from #46

  2. I have 2 sisters who are nurse-midwives & a niece who is a labor & delivery nurse. It’s wonderful to have so many safe options available to pregnant women.

  3. Life’s vital lessons must go on,
    and past this life continue
    beyond the day when we come gone,
    for death is but a window
    through which shines a beaming smile,
    but which admits no sound,
    and thus the substance (not the style)
    becomes our common ground.
    Words are unreliable,
    but love comes from our eyes
    to leave an undeniable
    truth without surprise
    that it can be no mystery
    that ours is silent legacy.

  4. This is so true! The moment we become closed to fresh ideas and perspectives is the moment we become stagnant, no longer able to grow. Regardless of the circumstances, we need to be able to hear and evaluate new things, even if we don’t ultimately take them on ourselves.

  5. I really enjoyed this Carol. I enjoyed hearing about your work in labor and delivery. Very interesting and insightful. Blessings.
    Visiting from FMF#5

  6. It’s so important to keep learning new things, isn’t it? I’ve changed soooo much in my 30+ years of teaching. I know more about child psychology, teaching, and how to encourage kids. I’m a better person because I keep learning.

Comments are closed.