I am the wife of Brian for 25 years now, and the mother to our 4 sons Brian Jr. 24, David 23, Andrew 22, and Michael 20. I am also mother-in-law to Sarah, and Grammy Anji to Zoë. My family means the world to me and all that I have learned began with my love for them.
My Journey to Midwifery:
My midwifery and herbal education began realistically with my family and friends and the desire to give them the most natural care possible. The gentleness and the healing properties of the herbs had been with me since I was a young girl while living on a farm in Bernardston Massachusetts. I had used herbs with my animals, but now wanted to understand their use with my family. I read as many books as I could get my hands onto. Whenever anyone took ill, I made the teas, or salves, or compresses that the books recommended. In our home, seasonal allergies, asthma, eczema, and very serious food allergies, were a daily thing. Four boys in four and a half years kept me busy with my learning. I also developed my cooking and nutritional skills and knowledge as the food allergies became related to preservatives and colorings. That meant knowing every single thing my family ate, and what it could offer them...good or bad. This also made for lots of reading and experimentation in our family kitchen.
I took a few basic Herbal classes that became available in my area, and devoured anything that could teach me about Nutrition, Vitamins, Herbs, Human Anatomy Physiology and Natural Healing. I started a little part time job in 1991 at a local health food store that would be life changing. First, the increased contact with the food items, and the full supply of herbs increased my familiarity with these items. Customers coming in and sharing their success stories was such a learning experience in itself. I also became a devout listener of a 3 hour radio program called "Herbs for Health and Healing" with Cathy Duffy. Taking notes as I filled bins with oats or rice, and stocked soymilk in the refrigerator. The most pivotal experience though, was a shopping trip to Champlion's by the Medicine Woman of a Connecticut Native Tribe. She was at the store for what seemed like hours. Her advice on what books to use, and herbs to trust is with me to this day. That was when I really felt myself called into Herbalism.
A dear friend of mine called frequently for help as did others. I would say that without my knowing it at the time I had become a community herbalist just because I was willing to either give the information, or research it out for others. This particular friend lost a child in early pregnancy, and then another, and my helping her through it was gut wrenching experience, but also I learned much as I sought out information to help her, and to help myself be what would help her through this sort of pain. In the process we got so much closer, and I found an area of study that intrigued me in the process. I began reading about child bearing and early development of the fetus within it's mothers body. When she became pregnant again, we tried some natural remedies and nutritional changes that I had found in my reasearch. Not only did this baby continue to grow, she asked me to be her Doula. I had no idea what a Doula was at the time, but started searching for information on that. Before the baby was born I was certified and able to have her birth be my first as an independent Doula. Eventually I worked in 4 different hospitals both as an independent as through hospital programs, and certified with two Doula organizations CAPPA, and DONA. Eventually I would also certify as a Childbirth Educator and a Breastfeeding Educator.
As was always the case, the more I learned the more I wanted to know. Which opened the door to Midwifery. I have studied through Ancient Art Midwifery Institute http://www.ancientartmidwifery.com/ . I also completed an 18 month apprenticeship/internship with The Birth Cottage of Milford a free standing birth center in southern New Hampshire where I was trained extensively in waterbirth, VBAC birth, and all aspects of the childbearing year and well woman care by two fabulous preceptors Adrian Feldhusen NHCM, CPM and Tracey Bowman CNM, ARNP.
At present I am a certified and licensed midwife. In order to become Certified I have passed an 8 hour examination through the NARM (North American Registry of Midwives), http://www.narm.org/, and have sat before my state Midwifery Council in order to relay my ability with skills in order to receive my state licensure. I am also a Member of MANA (Midwife's Alliance of North America), and NHMA (New Hampshire Midwives Association), of which I am the secretary.
I am serving in the areas of Brattleboro VT, Keene NH, and Greenfield MA. I also am on staff at The Monadnock Birth Center in West Swanzey New Hampshire.
My Midwifery started as a desire to serve a friend and to care for her from the heart. The communication of the heart to me is a meditation or a prayer. In the process of wanting to help her, I was lead by my "heart thoughts" to learn more and more and to have skills and abilities to help any woman who I am allowed to walk next to for a time like, a friend. For that reason I have named my business "Heart Thoughts Midwifery Service LLC".