Starting To Find My Niche

Today I had my second prenatal visit with my third client. And it went... amazingly well!

Here's to sticking with it, knowing yourself, and committing your time to things you really enjoy.

Last night I met up with some new friends to watch a show we've been binging together for some good, wholesome girl time. It was great... until 11pm hit and I fell asleep because I knew I had somewhere to be in the morning. The downside of working a corporate job where you conveniently close your laptop on Friday afternoon and a flexible job where most of your efforts are invested on the weekend, is this very scenario. It was in this moment I realized, "I must really love this work." True, I would prefer to sleep in every chance I get, this morning being one of them. But, the opportunity to share space and information with women during one of the most pivotal, yet shortest chapters of their lives is an honor not many people get to have and one I have worked hard for.

On the way home I made a list of everything I would need to prepare in the morning and topics I wanted to discuss with my client the next day. I've been working on mindfulness techniques lately, and noticed how energized I felt planning for the visit. Preparation for visits with my earlier clients felt much heavier and less informed. This time, I had taken time to assess her current concerns around movement and tearing, researched solutions we could implement at her visit and mapped out an agenda that I felt would leave them more prepared for the months ahead. I'm beginning to think like my clients, instead of worry so much about if I'm doing a good job or living up to their expectations. Part of that is attributed to the work I've been doing to turn my efforts inward and trust that I will attract what is meant for me by being my authentic self always. And authentically, I enjoy this work, so I knew that would shine through to my client as well.

Getting out of my car, grabbing my bags and preparing to walk up to her door, I didn't feel anxious. I didn't fuel the, "what have I forgotten, what else do I need to quickly run through my head" train. I simply enjoyed the run rays washing over my face and took some deep, grounding breaths as I marched up to her front door. My current client is very chill, always relaxed, and tends to bounce off the vibes I present. We did a quick check-in, I gave her a run-down of my proposed agenda, and then we bounced through it over the next couple of hours. Sure, I stumbled in some places and had to be confident enough to correct myself or admit when I was stumped. But, I enjoyed learning more about her, her family and her desires for the life waiting for her on the other side of the delivery room. Each woman I have the honor of supporting comes with fears and expectations related to their pregnancy, of course. But they are so much more than that. Their interests, their past lives, their current wisdom and sense of self all contribute to the type of information they'd like to receive and what support most looks like to them. We watched some videos together I had saved to go over and then go into some movements I encouraged her to incorporate whenever she can. We talked about all of her birth positioning options with an epidural and pre-epidural movement she can lean into as early labor starts to wind down.

Everything I said was new to them. All suggestions I offered were welcomed with open hearts and minds. The work I am doing is not mundane to the people I do it for. That is reassuring to me that I am doing the right thing. I am on the right path. One client at a time. There are bumps, there are breaks and there are challenges. She's inspired by the person that I am, and I am inspired by the woman I'm becoming. I had such a wonderful time with my client and I cannot wait to continue this sacred journey with her.

-Syd 10.13.2024