Basics
Notes
I think birth is the most important thing happening in our world. I might be biased, because this is my life’s work - but I’ll explain to you why I think this and you can decide whether you agree with me or not.
Birth creates babies (obviously) but it also creates mothers, fathers, and families. Every woman comes out of her birth experience profoundly changed. Other than the obvious fact that she now has a little human to care for, her heart, soul, and body are also changed.
In my work, I have seen women have births that were peaceful, joyful, stress-free, euphoric. Some of these women received mental, physical, and spiritual healing from their experiences. I have also witnessed and debriefed births that were traumatic, scary, and stressful. Some of these women and babies received serious physical, emotional, and spiritual harm from these experiences. It can take years to unravel and heal from this trauma. Some people can hold this with them their entire lives.
A baby’s birth is their initiation into the world. A baby's birth experience has long term effect on their health and well being.
Birth is also a woman’s initiation(or reinitiation) into motherhood. I have seen time and time again that when a woman feels empowered by her birth experience she has an easier transition into motherhood.
When a woman is disrespected, physically harmed, or traumatized in any way during her birth this can lead to
Difficulty bonding with baby
Issues in relationship with the baby’s father and other family member, including older children
Postpartum depression and anxiety
Difficulty breastfeeding
When women are supported and feel good about their births they
Can create deep bonds with their babies
Have less stress in the home
Better success breastfeeding
Heal physical, mental, emotional wounds from even as far back as their own birth or childhood
Empowered mothering experience
Trust in themselves
Deeper intimacy with their partner
The choices we make in pregnancy and birth effect our lives(and our children) in so many intricate ways. Birth can be the most healing and empowering experince we ever have.
It is so important that we make informed confident decisions in birth because birth has rippling effects in our lives, our communities, and societies as a whole.