In going over some old files, I came across a memory. Speaking to a Cincinnati group dedicated to natural childbirth and breastfeeding, I related a fondness I had for a childbirth instructor who was the first influence in how I would give birth and mother my baby.
I began my talk back in 1978 with this: “Today’s gathering brings back special memories for me because I am especially fond of my first childbirth instructor I had some 14 years ago. I didn’t realize it at the time, but much later I came to realize how much of an influence she had made upon my life. At that time the classes [in the Santa Clara/San Jose area] were part of the adult education program and held at the local high school. She was both a mother and a public health nurse. Because of her, I had a wonderful childbirth experience and also considered breastfeeding for the very first time. She would announce the dates of the La Leche League meetings when they were in the area and invited a nursing mother to class. I saw a mother nurse for the first time as she answered questions from the class. So I felt I was very fortunate to be in her class.”
I’m sure there are other “teachers” in our lives whom we wish we could have thanked at the time we had them. Usually it isn’t until later that we realize how fortunate we were to have been in contact with them. I am especially grateful also for my obstetrician who told me to just exclusively breastfeed and call him when I had my first period. When I had my first period at 12 months postpartum, we were moving to Canada. I am thankful for the pediatrician who was so supportive of my breastfeeding in order to space our next baby. He never told me when to start solids even when I asked him. Our baby was very healthy. She had her first tooth at 8 months and started to accept solids at that time. I regret I never took the time to thank the birth instructor, the obstetrician, and the pediatrician.
I am grateful for many others, including friends and relatives, and hope you as a reader of these blogs also have many persons in your life to be thankful for as well.
Sheila Kippley