Microchimerism

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Mother's day


"It has just been discovered that women carry fetal cells from all the babies they have carried. Crossing the defensive boundaries of our immune system and mixing with our own cells, the fetal cells circulate in the mother's bloodstream for decades after each birth. The body does not tolerate foreign cells, which trigger illness and rejection. But a mother's body incorporates into her own the cells of her children as if they recognize each other, belong to each other. This fantastic melding of two selves, mother and child, is called human microchimerism. ~ "Without a Map" by Meredith Hall


I recently came across that quote and thought it was just amazing. Hope you all have a wonderful day reveling in the joy of being a Mother.  Happy day!

International Day of the Midwife

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I went to a birth the other night.  After having some time off, I could really appreciate the beauty of it all. At 2am the two of us sat in the bathroom.  Laboring Mom in the tub, me sitting on the edge.  The room was dark except for one candle flickering. Between contractions the candle was dim, her body still. But as the contraction would build the flame would be fanned brighter by her deep breathing and her rythmic swaying. It was a lovely picture of effort, and life, and courage, and rising up.  It is always aparent when I am with a woman who is an athelete. This particular woman was strong. So strong. It's inspiring to witness the level of commitement that women have to their bodies, their babies. 


We sat there together for a few hours. Both of us longing for our sons. Hers yet unborn, mine waiting for me/hopefully sleeping at home. That Boy is never very far from my thoughts. I don't leave him much so I occasionaly have these brief moments of panic when I do. Moments when the missing of him gnaws at me. The labor continued and I eventually had to bow out. I missed the happy ending. Again.  One of these days I am going to actaully see a baby when I go to a birth!


International day of midwife
(taken a couple years back at a homebirth I attended)


Did you know that today is International Day of the Midwife?  Visit this site to see what it is all about and say a prayer for all the Blessed Souls out there who catch babies. It is a noble calling to be a midwife but not always an easy one. These women are heros. We owe them a lot.