For the love of babies

by Lucy Reason ‘19

I have a passion for helping people, an innate desire to improve people’s lives, and I am in awe and wonder of the miracle that is childbirth.

During my early childhood in England, I observed the amazing work of RN midwives. From that moment, I knew that it was the career I was destined to pursue. However, I decided that I needed practical experience in my chosen career to ensure it was really for me.

After much searching and persistence, I secured an internship at a local birth center run by RN midwives. Over a four-year period, I have been able to fully observe, partake and understand my chosen career path by attending over 20 births and 50 appointments. Aside from learning a great deal about pregnancy, childbirth, and gynecological care, the most important thing I have learned is the value of passionate care.

I have observed, and personally experienced, that by truly connecting with patients and building trust and empathetic understanding of their needs, coupled with a genuine and caring desire to achieve positive outcomes, that this can make a world of difference to a patient.

Through that practical experience, I have gained insight into the labor and delivery system in my community and one issue has made me want to dive deeper. The United States has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world. I know that I alone cannot lower that statistic on a national scale but I want to find small, local solutions that chip away at this crisis in a meaningful way.

To start, I wrote a high school thesis on maternal mortality. I interviewed local OB/GYNs to expand my understanding of the problem and to begin to formulate potential solutions to enact through my Senior Capstone Project. These endeavors have left me even more energized to pursue a nursing degree in college.

I have a passion for caring for people, which has manifested itself in my daily life and leads me to work toward solving problems in my community. I know that I want to be a Nurse-Midwife who doesn't merely care for patients, but deeply values the dignity and needs of the individuals I work with.