I have been curious and intrigued with pregnancy & birth ever since I was a little girl. I have always loved babies. I grew up in the midwest and in New Hampshire near the coast. In high school I wrote a research paper (that we took the whole quarter to create) about maternity care in the US. I learned a ton and my teacher who was married without children at the time, was asking me questions! That felt great. Little did I know, I was barely scratching the surface! In pottery class my theme was "pregnancy." So that was the beginning.
My college essays followed suit with explanations on why I wanted to become a Labor & Delivery nurse. After meeting a cowboy from Idaho, however, my plans changed and now we have five beautiful children. What can I say? Now I feel that my number one priority is Motherhood; mothering my children and supporting mothers-to-be. The best way for me to do the latter is to help women during this special transition in their life whether it's baby number one or seven.
My experience? Five very different births of my own, and attending two other births thus far. With my first pregnancy, I experienced preterm labor around thirty weeks so I was life-flighted on a plane from Jackson Hole, WY to the University of Utah Medical Center. I stayed a short while there, was released to stay in the area, went back again after signs of labor once more. She was born at 32 weeks and had a 6 week NICU stay. It was quite the introduction to parenthood, but it was a precious time as well, getting to know our tiny newborn. She was 4lbs 4 1/2 oz and 16 inches long. This gave me a drive to learn as much as possible with my next pregnancy. I've learned a little more with each pregnancy. My last four births were full term with no complications. The last three were waterbirths. Our 3rd & 4th were born at home and #5 was a planned hospital birth. Why the switch back to hospital? My husband felt more comfortable there, even though he thought our homebirths were awesome. So I rolled with it and it went really well. There are so many choices for parents to make and depending on the place you're at as an individual and as a couple, you need to make those choices that you are most comfortable with. The last hospital birth wasn't my first choice personally, but I knew it was the right thing for us and it was by far my easiest labor! It went great. I'm glad for the experience of medicated and natural childbirths as well as hospital and home because I can see both sides and it gives me perspective that others might not have. I have learned so many things from each experience. I've grown so much and I'm grateful.
My philosophy is that our bodies were created to give life. More often than not, we will do a fine job without intervention. Sometimes we do need help and I'm grateful to live in a time when that is readily available. I also believe that we each have to make our own choices regarding our births.
In June of 2008 I became a co-leader for a group called BirthNetwork of Idaho Falls for one year, an avid supporter the next year, and now it has dissolved. This last year I created a Holistic Parenting group that met once a month to learn about natural health and other helps for mothering. I have taken a break from monthly meetings, but we connect via Facebook and we're starting to get together and find classes to attend if interested. https://www.facebook.com/groups/HolisticParentingIF/
When my children are older I plan to become a trained doula or childbirth educator (or both). I day dream of midwifery, but I'm not sure if that's the right path for me yet. In the mean time I'm ready to help moms-to-be who would like to learn about their choices, get the resources they need, or receive support during their pregnancy and birth. Check out the other pages for more details. I look forward to meeting you and if it is meant to be, becoming "Kindred Spirits."
Warmly,
Shannon Steffler
