Testimonial - Kadee Scarola
My experience with Suzie as a midwife has been beyond the level of pleasant, and into the realm of meaningful, inspirational, and profound. She was our midwife for the home birth of our third child (one of our other children was born in a local hospital, and the other at a local birth center). Oh, how I wish I had been enlightened to the whole home birth truth sooner! Oh, how I wish I had found her sooner! A home birth is an experience that can’t really be put into words…especially after experiencing the injustices of a hospital birth, and even after dealing with the drawbacks of a birth center birth. Our third baby was the healthiest by far, and I truly believe that his gentle arrival has primed him for a gentle life.
Few people, let alone health care providers, take the extra effort like Suzie does to get to know you. It goes without saying that Suzie is medically knowledgeable, competent, and organized, and also extremely easy to work with on insurance issues, paperwork, etc… but any midwife can bring to the table that kind of care. You can be comfortable in your choice of nearly any midwife, and stop reading this testimony right now. But if you’re looking for someone who is attuned to what’s happening to you not only physically, but mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, Suzie has been cut from the right cloth. Somehow, she was always asking “the” question that prompted me to make a personal insight, which led to less stress, and thus, a healthier pregnancy. But she never intruded into my personal life, which is the paradox. How she was able to assist me in my personal realm without me feeling like she was “being nosy” is beyond me! I think it speaks to her sensitivity, genuineness, and impeccable sense of timing. I had somewhat of a different situation because I live in the bush, and had to fly to town for all my appointments, as well as the birth, which was at a relatives’ home. Suzie was so easy to work with if I ever got weathered in. Plus, our “appointments” always felt more like “visits” and I was never rushed. If I had even an inkling of a question, Suzie would fully and completely answer it…then ask at a later time if the question was still answered…and sometimes, if I couldn’t elucidate my feeling into words, she would somehow intuitively pinpoint my question. Incredible. Her gentle manner was supremely respectful, while at a critical moment, her confident, assertive guidance displayed acute midwifery skill. She was always putting my wishes and inclinations first; so much so, however, that I wanted her to tell me more of her opinion, for I found her to be a treasure trove of information and common sense combined! She was bowing to me, but I wanted to bow to her! I felt I could trust Suzie with my life, the life of my children…and indeed, that’s what a woman is doing with a midwife when she’s giving birth. Although it’s something you’re doing, your doing it becomes safer and more relaxed with the presence of a midwife like Suzie (remember, I did a birth with another midwife, one who I thought was “pretty good” until I met Suzie). She stirs up your own primal self-confidence at the important moment without, sometimes, saying anything at all. Plus, Suzie is so experienced, she fits into any birth situation; for instance, at the last minute, I changed what location I was going to birth in, and it didn’t even phase her…and, we had a house full of family, including my 2 and 5 year old, who brushed my hair and brought me drinks during labor, and who were right on the bed next to Suzie when their brother was born, gently telling him, “come on out, baby…” Still, 54 months after the birth, they play “Suzie getting the baby out” with their dolls. They carefully lay their dolls on a blue absorbent pad, pretend to squirt olive oil, listen quietly with a stethoscope, and present to anyone near, a “baby” wrapped in a towel, grinning ear to ear. Children are the most open and intuitive to the energies of any given situation, and their honest portrayal of the birth speaks to their interpretation of how babies should be born. It was a tremendously positive, impactful experience for them, too. Suzie is like everyone’s favorite aunt who remembers your birthday; she’s like your favorite teacher growing up, the one you actually respected and learned the most from; she’s like the kind stranger who stops to help you with a flat tire (and even if she can’t help, she knows how to get it!)….and in this case, she is an earthly angel who guided me to guide our baby into the world with unparalleled grace. Kaydee Scarola Beluga, Alaska |
Do you have a testimonial you'd like to have published?
Please email: alaskabirthing@aol.com
Please email: alaskabirthing@aol.com