Dear Friends:
     Chris' post and the subsequent threads have stimulated me to wonder if
our profession is one of the most difficult?
     We have to integrate knowledge of anatomy, physiology, sociology,
psychology and spiritual components of birth and postpartum, mothers, babies,
lactation, breastfeeding, family dynamics, economics, and public health.
     We must be skilled in hands-on and hands-off techniques and know when to
choose one over the other. We must know about technology, both in birth and
in breastfeeding. We must be alert to politics and have strong interactive
abilities. We must keep our eyes and minds open for new research and new
observations; we must evaluate and analyze constantly.  We must keep our
hearts strong for the long journeys that each one of us goes through in our
work. We must battle against forces that don't recognize or support us, and
in some cases, actively work against us.
     We have our hands full.
     How many professions have to have such a high level synthesis and
integration of so many other disciplines?
     Warmly,
Nikki Lee RN, MSN, Mother of 2, IBCLC, CIMI, CCE
craniosacral therapy practitioner
Elkins Park (a suburb of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; northeastern USA)
supporting the WHO Code and the Mother Friendly Childbirth Initiative

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