A mother never forgets the birth of her child. No matter what
the circumstances of her pregnancy or delivery, the end
result is almost always the same: one life changed forever
and one life just begun.
Rosemary Antunes, a parishioner of St. John the Baptist
Church in Front Royal, is very familiar with the birth
process. Not only is she a mother of eight and a grandmother
of six, she’s been a nurse for 33 years this June and
estimates she has witnessed hundreds of births – experiences
that have fueled her passion for her Catholic faith and a
culture of life. Today, Antunes teaches childbirth education
classes at two area hospitals and works as a certified doula,
offering individualized support and encouragement to women in
labor.
Antunes first became interested in working as a delivery
nurse because of her mother, who could remember vividly each
of her seven deliveries.
“She could tell you every detail,” Antunes said. “I find that
kind of vivid impression is common with women. Ask any 10
women and eight of them can tell you in minute detail what
went on at their delivery.”
Because giving birth is such a big moment in women’s lives,
Antunes believes it’s crucial they are treated with kindness
and respect through the entire process.
“You can’t always control the circumstances of what happens
to women, but at least you can control how the professionals
around the women respond,” she said. “Were they courteous?
Were they compassionate? Were they competent? All those
things contribute to the mom’s feeling of well-being and
accomplishment, and that, I think, is key.”
Being able to help other women welcome their children into
the world is incredibly fulfilling, Antunes said.
“The most rewarding part is helping to introduce the moms to
their brand-new baby and seeing the satisfaction she takes in
a job well done,” she said. “It’s where the rubber hits the
road as far as your faith goes. You pray throughout the whole
thing because anything can happen so you’re praying to God to
bring this to a happy and healthy conclusion for everybody.”
After hearing the stories of the new parents she works with,
Antunes said she’s more grateful for the family she was born
into. She’s also become more compassionate and has a stronger
dedication to building a culture of life.
Antunes believes every mother and child is valuable, an
attitude she tries to display in her work. As a nurse, she
has had a few moments where she’s had to say no to a
particular task for moral reasons. In those moments, she has
had to learn to stand by her beliefs firmly, without being
harsh.
“When you’re on the (obstetrics) floor, you’re a constant
reminder that Catholics don’t believe in contraception,
especially when you work for a hospital and they want you to
participate in giving (birth control) or sterilizations,”
Antunes said. “It’s really important that you gently stand up
for yourself without being strident. Say, ‘I can’t do that,
it’s against my religion,’ and then volunteer to do some
other chore nobody else wants to do. … You have to be
ready because your Catholic faith comes popping up and into
the question at the least opportune times.”
That passion for life has carried over into Antunes’ personal
life as well. Currently, she is in training to operate an
ultrasound machine in order to help her local pregnancy
center offer free ultrasounds to women considering abortion.
“Hopefully that ultrasound – once they see it – will be a
reason not to have an abortion,” she said.
Though she understands she is in a unique position when it
comes to promoting life, Antunes thinks it is important for
everyone to build a culture of life, no matter their
profession.
“Promoting the culture of life is a given and it isn’t always
verbal,” she said. “It’s the day in, day out, trying to bring
Christ to everyone you meet and every individual because each
of them is precious to God. … That’s how anybody in
any career can make a difference for the kingdom of God, if
they can show that kind of love to each individual.”
Antunes said she’s very appreciative for the prayers and
support of her husband and family, as well as all those who
pray for and support local pregnancy centers.
“Only God changes hearts and only God accomplishes this,” she
said. “We can be as professional as we want, but He’s the one
that gives the grace, so there’s room for everyone to pray.
“Every child is a blessing and the more we can promote that
attitude and the more it catches on, the better off we’ll all
be.”
On the Web
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