Today we’d like to introduce you to Andie Wyrick.
Andie, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
The first beautiful and strong being I ever midwife for was a sweet lab named Bingo. I recall being six years old in the doghouse with her. I stroked her fur and sent her nurturing energy. I was adamant that every puppy had a nipple and that momma was well cared for. As Bingo birthed, I began my own “early labor” and the journey into midwifery.
Fast-forward a decade or so… I started college with the intentions of following a path into obstetrics and gynecology. As plans often do, mine veered. Earlier than anticipated, I birth my first child in a hospital setting. It was traumatic and full of unnecessary interventions. The experience left me confused, deflated, and less than empowered. I did, however, receive the loving touch from the nurses through those days and in the care of my second hospital birth a few years later.
My course changed and my plans readjusted. I continued my voyage with the goal of being a labor and delivery nurse and I did just that. I wanted to be with women and babies. I desired to provide them with everything I wanted and didn’t get.
My time working in the hospital was not what I imagined. I felt like my hands were tied by litigation based policy and I was not able to provide up to date research based care. I was discouraged. THEN… one night a family came in and I was blessed to care for them. They were a non-emergent transport from a home birth. Their midwife accompanied them. I watched her every move. I was enamored by their connection, tenderness, and touch. I knew right then and there that my “active labor” in my journey toward midwifery began.
Ironically, I found myself pregnant with my third child. I chose that very midwife, the one who changed my course that night to care for us as I brought my baby earthside in the comfort of my home. That relationship grew into a professional mentorship as I birth assisted for her for many years. I had two more home births in that time. My personal experiences grew me holistically and I was bursting with a need to foster that in families.
I “transitioned” and I went on to get my Masters degree in nursing. I gleefully and powerfully “birthed” MYSELF–a passionate Certified Nurse Midwife. I worked in a community birth center since graduation and left a piece of my soul there. My heart has always been in homebirth and I wanted to offer that option to women. My journey will continue as I am currently seeking my doctoral degree.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The journey has not been smooth, but any trip worth taking has hills and valleys. I imagine unique terrain makes the views so much more breathtaking and the destination pleasurable. I find the beauty in perspective. I don’t focus on the struggle or obstacles. I keep my eye on the possibilities and the growth challenge evokes.
I have been studying and learning since I was 18. I’ve rarely taken a break, even when having my children (five may I add). That is two decades towards my goal of serving women and families. Sometimes it has been a struggle to remain motivated, but I have such a cheerleading support system. The real hurdle has been focused balance. I have learned it has to be intentional. I can’t be my best for my family, for other families, or for myself if balance doesn’t remain in the equation.
If I am being completely transparent, which most find I am. I know with certainty women need midwives. Here I am waving my hands around, saying “look over here” and I feel invisible in this big city. How do we get the word out? How do we make the connection? Sure I want growth for personal reasons, but bigger than that, I want to help change the face of women’s healthcare.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Holistic Heritage Homebirth – what should we know?
Holistic Heritage Homebirth! We gave our name considerable reflection. We wanted it to represent women and us.
ho·lis·tic (adjective) encompassing the whole of a thing, and not just the part. Holistic care looks at the whole person for answers, not just at physical symptoms. (mind, body, and spirit) her·it·age (noun) something that comes or belongs to one by reason of birth.
We firmly believe women are made to birth their babies. In that sense, it is their heritage. We wanted to celebrate the heritage of midwifery. Heritage is a salute to the firm foundation that midwifery holds and has passed down from generation to generation. We hope it evokes a nostalgic sense of tradition and history.
Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him. Psalm 127:3
We are passionate about practicing the Midwifery Model of Care as described by the American College of Nurse-Midwives. We affirm the power and strength of women and the importance of their health in the well-being of families, communities and nations.
We believe in the basic human rights of all persons, recognizing that women often incur an undue burden of risk when these rights are violated.
We believe every person has a right to:
-Equitable, ethical, accessible quality health care that promotes healing and health
-Healthcare that respects human dignity, individuality, and diversity among groups
-Complete and accurate information to make informed healthcare decisions
-Self-determination and active participation in health care decisions
-Involvement of a woman’s designated family members, to the extent desired, in all healthcare experiences
We believe the best model of health care for a woman and her family:
-Promotes a continuous and compassionate partnership
-Acknowledges a person’s life experiences and knowledge
-Includes individualized methods of care and healing guided by the best evidence available
-Involves therapeutic use of human presence and skillful communication
-We honor the normalcy of women’s lifecycle events.
We believe in:
-Watchful waiting and non-intervention in normal processes.
-Appropriate use of interventions and technology for current or potential health problems.
-Consultation, collaboration and referral with other members of the health care team as needed to provide optimal health care.
(ACNM, 2017)
Certified Nurse Midwives are completely independent primary health care providers. We can serve women from the start of menarche until their last days and also care for their babies for the first month of life. Additionally, CNMs are licensed and have prescriptive authority. Yes, most understand midwives attend women in pregnancy and birth, but we can also offer reproductive care, primary care, annual exams, write prescriptions, and so much more.
It is so important to me to offer the option of home birth, because of most CNMs (over 90%) practice in the hospital setting, about 3% in birth centers, and much less in homes. We have to change that in order to keep informed choice in the equation for families. It is about empowerment and education.
We are different because the woman remains in charge. She makes the decisions, in the relationship. We provide the information and resources, then we in a trusting partnership respect her enough to know what she wants for her body or her baby. Holistic Heritage Homebirth values the trusting relationship between a family and their midwife.
Having an honest connection is important. For that reason, we offer a complimentary consultation. We recommend the attendance of both you and your partner. This will be a special and relaxed time spent getting acquainted with each other, reviewing our model of care, and answering any questions you may have. Consultations are usually one hour.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
In any endeavor, there are the people that cleared the path, mapped the course, or even steered the wheel. My family sacrificed immensely so that I could capture this goal. My kids gave me to other families and go without their mother often, knowing that what I am trying to accomplish is worthwhile.
I have had so many mentors and guides… I can’t name them all. Midwifery is full of supporters that want to grow the profession knowing what it means to a city, state, and nation with broken maternal and infant statistics. This is a piece of the answer.
Contact Info:
- Address: 3019 Poe Drive Montgomery, TX 77356
- Website: WWW.HHHOMEBIRTH.COM
- Phone: 7135041707
- Email: ANDIEW@HHHOMEBIRTH.COM
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/holistichertitagehomebirth/
Image Credit:
Isadora Photography, Christie Lacy Photography
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