Born from 9 years of studying and practicing within the midwifery model of care, one of the foundational tenets of my health coaching practice is inspired consistency. Consistency may sound boring and even cliche. But it’s effectiveness is proven. Women, half of the population of our world, can carry and birth human life. To do that, women usually find consistent care for the 9-12 months surrounding the birth of that new human. The schedule and quality of that care can vary widely depending on location, financial resources and even cultural norms. 

In Austin, Texas, where I've practiced for the past decade, midwifery care occurs monthly until 28 weeks, then increases to bi-weekly and weekly visits in the last trimester. Each visit ranges from 45 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the current month’s concerns.

Consistent care arises at this critical time in a woman’s health to protect her well-being. A sense of connection and trust is created as discussion deepen into the well of emotions and experiences happening within the bodies of women carrying children. Well visits, not sick visits. 

After approximately 10 or 11 months of visiting and caring for these women and their families, the last visit, at about 6 weeks postpartum, feels bittersweet. 

From the client perspective, you are graduating from consistent check-ins about your well-being and your health. You have had a sounding board, a wealth of health expertise and a resource for the needs surrounding your growing family. When you no longer have the scheduled visits, you can easily return to focusing on the needs and health of others. You begin to slowly forget about your aching shoulders and that occasional rash on your elbow. You lose that gentle reminder to connect with your own well-being, your own needs.  

When I reference the inspired consistency, I am referring to the inner drive to feel your best, to make the best choices for your body, mind or soul. We become inspired when our soul or heart has led us to an activity or a process or even to a health practitioner, and we feel motivated to stay with it.

When you follow your inspiration, whether it be to grow a baby, lose weight, get rid of the recurrent rash, or have more energy, you start a ripple of healing that can flow your way. Sometimes you buy a book and follow the steps. Sometimes you join the gym to keep your doors open. Other times to finally visit the doctor or seek out a therapist.  

I’ve seen many women come for their first two appointments and then “life gets busy”. When you aren’t pregnant and committed for nine months, sometimes you lose momentum and the original inspiration is not enough to keep you going. Because of this, I’ve slowly implemented systems to help women follow up consistently. I follow up even when I haven’t heard anything for a month or two. I know how life can be. I want all women to feel successful in their inspired ventures.

Approximately 90% (yes, that’s data from my very accurate tracking methods ;) ) of women have said some version of, “This is really our last visit? Who am I going to talk to about my [uterus] now.” 

Why? Because humans value and need consistent connection. In the current culture, we have to seek out our own community of like-minded souls. We aren’t often born into the neighborhood or family that perfectly ‘gets’ us.

Midwifery care is the closest thing I’ve encountered that could qualify as true health care. Why does women’s health care depend on another human inside our wombs? Why does our care stop when our babies enter the world? That is the paradigm I am working to shift.

Midwives are women (99% at least) that have felt the call to step up and support women in a time of tremendous transition. A time when your own power is called forth. A time when your trust is the ultimate savior. A time when safety is paramount. Midwives hold this space, this container for trust, growth and transformation. 

I’ve embodied this feeling and carry it through to the women I support, guide and see as a reflection of my own journey. I create my life around the mission to help women take hold of this powerful transformation. 

There are endless tools, plants and experiences that are channeled into my work. I’ve reached into my own place of power (and powerlessness) and emerged anew to show up for others ready to do the same. In the end, the consistent willingness to follow what feels good for you, your health and your soul is what provides the most healing, the most growth and the most happiness. 

After years of showing up for myself and my family, I have learned skills to share the overflow with my chosen community. I send my endless gratitude to the women, midwives, and the trailblazers that have come before me, I happily take the torch for the next generations.

Learn about my midwifery practice.

Photo credit: Jote Khalsa Photography