Numbers

I have to keep track of all the births I attend, all the prenatal, postpartum, and newborn exams that I do. NARM (North American Registry of Midwives) wants to know that I've done what they require before they deem me a Real Life Midwife!   It's a pain in the butt, to keep track of each client, assigning them numbers  (HIPAA Laws) and referring to them in all the documentation as that particular number.  In fact, I've had to create a master list of names with their corresponding numbers (one alphabetical by name the other numerical) just so I can keep track of them. It's a daunting task, to say the least.  Though it is a chore, I don't truly mind it.  I realize how vitally important it is to be fully educated and know what I know what I know.  I won't be one tiny bit intimidated to hand in my sheets of numbers to the NARM folks next year.

I say all that to say this... while going through my list, I began reflecting on the names of each client and I'm surprised how many I remember so vividly.  I took several moments and purposefully remembered each birth scene. I can still clearly see the surroundings, where I was at the magical moments of pushing, crowning, delivery. I can distinctly remember several births that impacted my life profoundly.  Feelings I'd never experienced before, that suddenly were bubbling to the surface, causing wave after wave of emotions.

I think I have blog material for the rest of my life, if I chose to blog about each birth that impacted my life in some way.  Maybe I'll do that.