Resources in my queue this week

Personally, this has been a difficult week at work. We all have those, and we reach out to friends and loved ones, and push through. If you are having a difficult week, I hope that you have someone with whom you can vent, seek support, and hold on to in times of struggle. Below is some cool stuff people have sent via email, that I've caught on others' blogs, or that I have learned about from other midwives. Hope everyone is having a great Thursday!...Watch this trailer. This is such a beautiful way of naming, allowing people to speak for themselves, explaining the personal story, and thus engaging the new learner on a level that they cannot help but understand. Wonderful. Trans (Trailer) from The Film Collaborative on Vimeo.Also totally worth checking out is this post by Trevor on Tips for Transgender Breastfeeders and Their Lactation Educators and the follow-up blogs by Miriam Perez, Radical Doula, about  Breastfeeding While Trans...Need to keep your CME/CNE's updated and not sure where to turn at first?

• American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM): Annual Meetings, Midwifery Works! Business Meetings. I will likely be at the Nashville, TN meeting, possibly road-tripping with a friend. Hope to see you there!
• Symposia Medicus: A Non-Profit Corporation for Continuing Medical & Nursing Education. In case you'd like to use some of the time provided for CMEs as a vacation on top of your vacation time. Not a bad idea...
• Contemporary Forums: National conferences for Continuing Education with an online library of past presentations

Get involved with your state policy group:

• Illinois Society for Advanced Practice Nursing: Political events are going on all the time at my employer, and I am quickly learning that it's not enough to "just want to be a midwife." It is a daily fight, and for me this week it's been an everyday fight. I am reimbursed for one professional organization membership (I have renewed through ACNM this year) and one society membership.  ISAPN was suggested by my practice Director, and I wholeheartedly agree. Join the political nurse or midwife group in your state if midwives are not treated or supported as they should be.

If you have a smart phone, simplify phone calls with pharmacies and state regulators by having all of your numbers handy. I put the following numbers into a "note":

• National Provider Identifier (NPI)
• Advanced Practice Nurse/Midwife
• Registered Nurse
• American Midwifery Certification Board
• American College of Nurse Midwives

...The Felt Cervix Project: An opportunity to knit, felt, and contribute a cervix to a growing number! Check out the pattern on Ravelry....Celebrate 25 Amazing WomenA wonderful list of women making big differences everywhere."Throughout September, the Worldwatch Institute is celebrating the crucial role that women and youth play in ushering in the just and environmentally sustainable future that we’re working hard to bring about. Even in the 21st century, women own less than 15 percent of the world’s land, earn 17 percent less than men on average, and comprise two-thirds of the world’s 776 million illiterate adults. Today, Nourishing the Planet features 25 amazing women from all over the globe who have been ongoing sources of inspiration, to NtP and others."