Dec 25 2012
My Junior Midwife
I’m seeing Jennie Joseph for my prenatal care, a woman who should be deemed a saint one day. Several years ago Jennie determined to see any woman who showed up at her clinic regardless of finances, despite almost going into bankruptcy several times. She sees paying patients roughly 2 days a week and loves on moms-to-be 7 days a week. Many of those women have never had prenatal care before.
Plus the women’s hospital in Orlando frequently calls her when women show up in labor without any family or support, sometimes without speaking a word of English either. Jennie and as many volunteers as she can find get translators on skype and hold these precious women’s hands as they welcome their babies.
Even though Jennie has delivered thousands of babies, she cried when Annada was born. Somehow every baby and mom is precious to her. It’s worth going to my appointments just for the smile and hug I get when I show up. Geesh. Did I mention she should be up for sainthood?
I took Annada for my an appointment a few weeks ago. When I asked Jennie if that would be okay she said, “Oh goodness yes, I love my junior midwives.” So I told Annada she could be my junior midwife, something Annada took very seriously. When we got ready to go Annada made sure to bring her stethoscope.
When we showed up the waiting room Annada’s eyes lit up when she saw the dolls, wraps and books for her to play with. “They do like kids here,” she told me.
When Jennie came, she taught Annada to do everything she did, including listen and record the baby’s heartbeat (using a Doppler, the stethoscope was just used because Annada brought it). Jennie beamed the whole time, calling Annada one of “my babies.”
Later that day Annada told me we didn’t need to see Jennie anymore, she could be my midwife. “When the baby comes I will get a basket and put something really soft in it to catch the baby,” she said.