Every journey has its end, but in the end it’s the journey that counts.
Over the span of more than three decades of serving as your midwife in Texas, each day has taught me something valuable about midwifery, business, relationships, and life itself. Midwifery has never been just a job, but a commitment. A commitment to the families I have had the privilege of serving, the intern midwives I have mentored, and the sister midwives, the doulas, childbirth educators, chiropractors and other professionals whom I have had the honor to work beside. Throughout my journey I have found opportunities to learn, grow, and build lasting friendships. As my intern midwives have heard me say, I have learned much of what to do but also what not to do. From my first year as a beginning midwife to my final role as director, mentor and midwifery educator, I’ve had the privilege of working with exceptional people, many of whom became my second family.
To all the beautiful families I have had the privilege to care for; it has been such a joy to watch those intimate moments when a couple becomes three or a family welcomes their fifth, seventh or even ninth baby. Each baby’s day of birth is the world blooming just a little more. I cherish the pictures and updates I receive about your little one.
To all those who have worked along beside me; The labors and births we, as the birth team, attended while working together hand in hand with the families we have served, and the challenges we have solved, the lessons we gained and the love we have witnessed have all helped shape who I am today. I still remember the, let’s say, unique births through the years. One birth such as the footling breech in the grocery store parking lot on that brisk April morning, the eleven-pound baby boy who was born at just three hours into labor, and the sweet baby girl born in a bathtub full of toys because her mama couldn’t get out, or get her two-year-old out fast enough, just to name a few.
I remember the many stressful births where we had to pull out every single skill we had ever learned, as well as the quick butter-births where baby slid out with complete peace and grace as if they had done it all before. Anyone who has attended births with me knows that babies come whenever they feel like it no matter what color you have painted their nursery, how many birth tubs you have set up or whether or not the midwife team even makes to the home or birth center in time. We have learned that babies don’t care if you are sitting in your scrubs waiting for the call or if you’re in the middle of hosting a birthday party for your own five-year old with twenty-six kids present, or a formal dinner in heels, babies will come whenever they choose.
To the brand-new midwives; don’t ever forget that your fresh energy and innovative ideas make a difference! Keep pushing boundaries and thinking differently while preserving what birthing families along with their midwives have fought for in the generations before. Your perspectives will help shape the future of midwifery. As you have learned, this career path is not a get-rich-quick scheme, it’s not a glamour job or a minimum effort kind of life; if you’re going to be great you quickly figure out it takes a lot out of you. You will learn about sacrifice, endurance, problem solving, heartache, multi-tasking, but most of all love. The love you witness as each of the families trusted into your care brings forth new life that even the largest curated birth space can barely contain.
My deepest thanks goes to the midwives who came before me for their trust and support throughout my journey. You built a midwifery environment where families and midwives alike can continue to grow and thrive from their experiences. Without those who came before us we would simply not be where we are today. I have witnessed the changes in midwifery that have transpired just since 1992, I can’t imagine the advances in true women’s whole health care in the next thirty-five years due to the foundation you have laid before I arrived on this scene. I thank you!
To my amazing BioBirth team, you’ve shown incredible dedication and creativity. Everyone should be aware of these amazing women – they have the vision and drive to take their role as a midwife to new heights. I know I’m leaving all the past and future mothers in very capable hands.
Midwives, I leave you with this; it doesn’t matter if it’s your third birth for the day, your tenth birth for the month or eightieth birth of the year, it’s this baby’s only birth and that deserves to be special!
As I move into retirement, I carry with me countless precious memories and lifelong friendships. Starting this new chapter feels exciting, yet saying goodbye is never easy. While I will continue teaching midwifery for years to come, I will no longer be accepting new patients/clients into my care.
In my retirement I hope to be left unsupervised in the kitchen more often, maybe try my hand at a little more molecular gastronomy, create new artisan cheeses and breads, make a few quilts, plant a few trees, raise a baby raccoon, grow a garden, buy an alpaca and maybe even join an Australopithecus Social Club.
Thank you all for making my journey truly special. The future awaits!
Darlene Dorries
Licensed Midwife, CPM, Midwifery Educator
