With our Austin Midwife Spotlight series, we are giving our beloved midwives an outlet to express why they love what they do. Today, we’re spotlighting Erika Brosnan, who is an RN, CNM, MSN!
Why did you want to become a midwife? How do those ideals guide your work today?
My path to becoming a midwife has been a relatively smooth journey. Figuring out a career path is really difficult for many people, so I am grateful that my decision to become a midwife felt effortless.
Things seemed to fall into their place. I worked as an ICU nurse for a few years. While I enjoyed my time and experience in ICU, I personally struggled with the tragedy and loss that is commonplace in critical care. I decided to change directions. Labor and delivery was the perfect fit. In my quest to get an L&D job, I began researching birth in America and reading/learning about midwives. There was not a question in my mind about whether or not this was the right fit for me. While in L&D, the unit I worked on happened to have a small practice of midwives that delivered there. I still remember the first birth with a midwife: it was calm and intimate, nothing like I had seen with any of the OB’s I worked with. I am drawn to midwifery because it is a profession that promotes calmness, patience, trust in women, and belief that pregnancy is a normal state of being.
What are the main differences between your approach to birth and the typical hospital birth?
I think hospital birth is often times a “production.” Lots of bright lights, birth gear, and they can involve a crowd of spectators. I think our standard practice at the birth center is the opposite of that. We want the enviroment to be private with nice lighting (or no lighting at all!), with few interruptions. We want to give each woman what she needs to be able to birth her baby. There is no formula, so we have to be tuned in with each woman we provide care for.
Do you have any favorite memories from your time at AABC?
There was one wild night I will never forget. It was Friday the 13th of February, there was a supermoon and a cold front that had come in, which apparently was the perfect recipe for putting women into labor. We had five babies born that night, all of which were girls. It was fun to get to be a part of.
What to you is the most rewarding aspect of being a midwife?
I am a huge fan of Centering Pregnancy. I find it really rewarding to get to facilitate Centering groups. The whole concept of Centering is genius; it puts into practice the saying “it takes a village.” We live in a culture that is not supportive to new moms. Women often feel isolated and alone after having a baby. Centering provides a network for new moms (and dads) to feel connected. I think AABC as a whole functions this way, but I love the way it is cultivated through the Centering program.
If you could tell expectant mothers one message, what would it be?
There are many things that are out of your control in regards to pregnancy and birth. Take ownership of the things you can control and be fluid with those that are out of your control.
