One of our beautiful birth assistants gifted us this Lignum Vitae plant. The word “Lignum vitae” is Latin for “wood of life” due to its historical use as traditional medicine for people of the Caribbean. Some refer to it as the tree of life. The Tree of Life symbol represents our personal development, uniqueness and individual beauty. Just as the branches of a tree strengthen and grow upwards to the sky, we too grow stronger, striving for greater knowledge, wisdom and new experiences as we move through life. Hence why the placenta is called the tree of life. It provides nourishment to help the baby grow strong. Its veins branch out from the cord providing everything to sustain a healthy pregnancy. Each placenta just like each pregnancy is unique and beautiful. This little plant is special to us in many ways. We too have grown into stronger Midwives and have been able to provide a unique alternative approach to maternity care and birth. We love our village of birth workers and are lucky to have the same goals in mind. Honoring each family's journey with care and respect while providing education, autonomy and empowerment. So we look forward to watching this little plant grow into a mighty strong and wise tree of life. We'd like to give a special thank you to all of the birth workers including Doulas, birth assistants and midwifery students who have supported us and still do every day. It takes a village and we are honored to have ours.
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