I’m excited to welcome fellow #RRBC member, Julie Watson here today. She is this month’s “Spotlight” author!
Writing can Heal a Broken Heart
Following the death of my baby daughter at birth, my second baby, I became deeply depressed. Looking back now I was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) although it was not recognized at the time. The trauma was exacerbated by the circumstances surrounding the birth such as I was not allowed to see my baby, hold her and I was not allowed to go to the funeral. Unbelievable as the year was 1973. I was 20 years old and as I was brought up to respect authority, I just did what I was told.
I continued to live in misery with a marriage that was just hanging in there, as my husband Barry did not know how to cope or comfort me and was dealing with his own grief. He would just go out. Adding to this I had a miscarriage nine months later and then I was unable to conceive again as I was given the contraceptive injection that left me sterile for another two years.
I had a beautiful daughter in 1977 and then another daughter in 1986.
When I left school I worked in a maternity ward as a nurse aid so had a love of caring for women and babies during this most lovely time in their lives. My dream to become a midwife was realized later on in my late 30’s. With my qualification as a midwife I was able to become an independent midwife taking on my own caseload and attending women who had homebirths as well as hospital births. My career also took me to Africa to work and to other countries including the United Kingdom.
With all the emotional ups and downs along the way and before I embarked on my nursing and then midwifery training, I became a Christian and Jesus became my rock and anchor. With my newfound faith I was able to weather the storms of life better and started to heal and become more positive about life.
While working in Australia I had a lot of time on my hands so my daughter suggested that I write a book about my life and what I had endured but how life had turned around.
Writing Born for Life: A Midwife’s Story was a cathartic exercise that has seen the last scars of my trauma healed. It has been a journey that has shaped my life and made me the person I am today and also by discovering the truth of life I know that my baby is safe in heaven in the arms of Jesus. I am very thankful!
Author Bio
Julie grew up in a small, rural town in New Zealand. After leaving school, she worked at the local maternity annexe as a nurse aide, which gave her a love for caring for mothers and babies. Life could not have been happier, until the death of her second baby at birth led to depression, loneliness and despair.
Julie’s first book Born for Life: A Midwife’s Story follows her journey to overcome the challenges she faced to become the midwife that she was born to be.
She always had a dream to travel and work in a developing country. She had the opportunity to work as a midwife in many countries – including Zambia, Africa where she worked at Kalene Mission Hospital.
Julie’s second book Born for Life: Midwife in Africa describes her experiences living and working in Africa. She shares her incredible journey to make a difference in the lives of African women and their babies.
Julie lives in Palmerston North, New Zealand with her husband, Barry. She has recently retired and enjoys writing, travelling, volunteer work and spending time with her friends and family.
Born for Life: A Midwife’s Story
From a young age Julie pondered what she would do with her life. A job as a nurse aide in the local Maternity Annexe at the age of sixteen gave her a love for being with women during labour and birth and caring for mothers and their babies.
Life could not have been happier, married to the man she loved and the birth of a son. The tragic and unexpected death of her second baby in her first hour of life led to depression, loneliness and despair.
Born for Life: A Midwife’s Story tells of Julie’s struggle to overcome tragedy and who triumphs to become the midwife that she was born to be.
The many birth stories are told from an era in the 1970s through the eyes of a young nurse aide to modern day midwifery in New Zealand as an independent midwife with her own caseload.
Follow Julie online!
Thank you so much for visiting with us today. Follow along the rest of Julie’s blog tour and exciting month by visiting the RRBC website.
I so loved Born For Life: A Midwife’s Story. It’s book cover is as exquisite as the story itself. What a blessing! Thank you for sharing your journey with us, Julie. Your love offers hope. ♥ Thank you, D.L., for hosting precious Julie today. ♥
It is a beautiful cover Gwen. I have not read this, but I’m moving it up to the top of my list. Sounds like an inspiring read. Thank you for coming by and your support for Julie!
Thank you so much Gwen for your kindness and love and your support. You have been an inspiration to me for all you have been through. Much love x
Thanks, Denise, for sharing part of Julie’s with us. Best wishes, Julie! ♥
Thank you Billy for coming by and supporting her:)
Thank you Billy for your best wishes and support.
I have yet to read Born for Life, but after reading this posting I am moving it up on my TBR list. Thank you, Julie for sharing your journey and thank you, Denise for hosting her.
I thought the same thing Karen. I haven’t read this yet but I’m moving it up my TBR list, too. Thanks for dropping by and supporting Julie:)
Thank you Karen. It’s not easy exposing your life but I have found there is healing in sharing your story. I have read your book Davida, the story of your great grandmother and really enjoyed it.
Best wishes to Julie on her tour. What an inspiring book!
Thanks Mae for stopping by. Yes, it sounds like a very inspiring read, I agree.
Thank you Mae for your best wishes.
So sorry to hear about the losses you have suffered. I was never one to just sit back and do what I was told, but walking that path has its own form of consequences. It can be very hard to be a young wife, especially back in the day. Thank you for sharing this piece of your life with us.
D.L., thanks for hosting.
Thank you Rhani and it is amazing what we cope with and eventually survive. Funny that I really wanted to run and leave when my grief was at it’s worse but I didn’t want to disappoint my parents as I felt I would be letting them down. I had been a bit of a rebel as a teenager and then in my 20s I just wanted to please them.
Thanks for dropping by Rhani. I can’t even imagine a way to deal with such a situation.
Thanks for shining your light of hope and healing through Born for Life on Denise’s blog today, Julie. Another wonderful Spotlight! 🙂 xo
A good way to describe it, Bette, as a light of hope and healing. Thanks for dropping by:)
Thank you Bette for you encouragement and support. Shining light, love and healing is such a beautiful way of describing my story. Thank you!
Thank you so much for hosting my blog tour Denise. I really appreciate all the work you have done and the support you have given me.
I was very happy to host you Julie! Your posts have been very inspiring to me.
Thank you Denise xx
Hi Julie. What a story. I could feel your pain, especially not being able to say good bye to your baby. I’m glad you found your way back. Thank you for sharing your story. Its so nice to meet you. Have a wonderful tour. Thank you Denise for always supporting our members.
Thank you, Shirley. I am always happy to help. Thanks for dropping by.
Thank you Shirley for taking the time to read about my life. Yes, I am so pleased I survived and writing it all down really did help me.
There is nothing like traveling to gain the experience you need as an author, Julie. You are very lucky to have had that opportunity. Thank you, D.L. for hosting.
I have always dreamed of travelling but it is only in recent years I have been able to. It really expands your mind I think Joy.
Thank you for dropping by Joy:) I agree about the travel experience.
Writing down about the agonising past is indeed cathartic Julie, it also inspires those who face challenges on the curve of life. Thank you for sharing your story.
Thank you for dropping by and your support of Julie, Balroop:)
My pleasure 😊
I found that by writing my story I felt amazingly set free Balroop. Thank you for following my blog tour.
Julie, this is the type of book which gives others hope.
Thanks for dropping by Wendy:)
I hope it does Wendy.
What a heartfelt post, Julie. Thank you for your bravery and sharing these tragic times in your life. Thanks for hosting, Denise!
Thank you for coming by, Jan.
Thank you Jan. I hope others will be encouraged.
You have been on an incredible journey, Julie. I cannot imagine the pain of losing a child. Your writings have been a journey of their own. Thank you for sharing and allowing us to travel this path as well.
Thanks for hosting, Denise.
Glad you dropped by Beem.
Thank you for your interest, Beem.
I’m sorry that you lost your baby at age 20. I can’t imagine what it was like. So happy to know you gave birth to two kids later on. Yes, your faith and trust in God is the most powerful healing. Thank you for sharing your experiences in your journey.
Thank you so much Denise for hosting the blog tour. <3