I've been a practicing nurse-midwife for almost 20 years. In my work, I've seen women connect up with deep pockets of courage and determination they didn't know they had, and surpass internal obstacles and challenges in some pretty extraordinary ways. I think of pregnant and birthing women as amazing heroines — and most of the time they have no idea how truly remarkable they are!

In my work with women, we would frequently encounter fears and worries during the prenatal time. Women would come to my office troubled about this or that: something someone said, something they'd seen on TV, something they remembered happening in the past, something that happened to a friend, or some bad dream they'd had. One of the first things we would do is develop an affirmation like the ones in The Pocket Midwife, to serve as a touchstone for moving past the tough spot. Over the years, I observed that the same issues showed up again and again. I started keeping track of them...and The Pocket Midwife was born.

I use affirmations myself to help me stay grounded and open and brave. I know that thoughts create reality. It's as simple as that. You have to start somewhere!

I have an undergraduate degree in political science from Yale, and I earned my Master's degree in Nursing and Nurse-Midwifery there as well. For several years I practiced in Houston, Texas, and then moved to Maine to join the holistic women's health group Women to Women in Yarmouth. Now I have a women's health practice at the True North Center for Health and Healing in Falmouth, Maine — a fantastic group practice which began with affirmations and dreams about how health care should be. Telephone consultation with me is available through this practice for a fee.

How to contact
Contact Susan Fekety by email at susan@pocketmidwife.com or by traditional mail at PO Box 1721, Portland, Maine 04104-1721