I added a great birth story yesterday from a recent homebirth. It got me thinking about why women write birth stories and the important role they play.
Birth stories are an important part of womanhood. Traditionally a woman would hear birth stories from her mother, grandmothers and aunts. When a young woman became pregnant she was comfortable with the prospect of birthing a child. She would know what to expect and with experienced women surrounding her she was not frightened. However the modern break up of the tightly knit family forces many women to gain that wisdom elsewhere.
It is ironic that although the entire human population is birthed (in one way or another) and virtually half the population give birth, the act of birth is rapidly becoming one of societies dirty secrets (like menstruation perhaps). Women are becoming afraid of birth, their mothers were afraid, and it is that fear that is now being passed down. Is it no wonder alarm bells ring at the mention of homebirth.
My mother wasn't afraid. She had a homebirth, not to make a statement, but because it was just the best thing to do. It meant that my birth story was something I wanted to hear (over and over).
It's vitally important for not only our children but for other women to discover the truth behind birth. Women who birth quietly, loudly, amazingly and gently at home need to tell others about it. It is crucial for women to pass on the message that birth is completely natural and normal.
Birth is the biggest event in a woman's life and by recording that event in words even your inner thoughts become your greatest memories. It doesn't matter if a well-crafted birth plan had to change; the birth story can still be a positive experience. People take copious amount of video and photographs of their wedding without a second thought. Yet birth is bigger and more euphoric than climbing Everest. Your children will prefer to hear about their births than your wedding and the stories you tell will shape not only their outlook on birth but that of their children too.
Women who put their birth stories up for others to read are truly inspirational. They fill the gap created by fragmented families and communities. They motivate women to consider all their options and aspire them to have births founded on exhilaration and not apprehension.
Countless women love birth stories. I have noticed how they search the net over and over to look for them. They read births from all over the world. It is easy to see from the written word what you want and what you don't want.
There is nothing like telling a great birth story to get people to share your joy and your elation. Women who homebirth have a particular need to share. They are the most euphoric and desperately want to enlighten others. How many homebirthers would never do it again? How many hospital birthers feel the same way?
In my birth story section there is a transfer to hospital. However the woman still had an wonderful birth and feels like it wasn't done to her but she did it. Complications are sometimes unavoidable but that doesn't mean your story isn't worth telling. In fact it can be more important for others to know that it is still possible to feel uplifted by your birth, as long as you plan and keep the balance of power for yourself and your baby.
I have a story of a ceasarian section from the mother/father and my angle that I am editing. This shows the strength and passion of birth even when faced with an almost impossible situation. It will follow shortly.
It is important to get your thoughts on paper as soon as you feel up to it after the birth. The story is yours. Women often ask to have my notes for their story, which I provide regardless, but I encourage them to pen their stories without this. My notes contain my story of their birth, which can be quite different to theirs.
This is my story of Rose's Breech birth published in Joyous Birth's Joy magazine.
As you can see this is nothing like Rose's story. We all have our own things to say. Women all over the world want to hear it. Birth MUST be passed from woman to woman to keep the normal birth process alive and to get women to trust their birth.
Being In The Moment
The phone rings. It's early hours. It's birth. My heart races and I move quickly to go. As I'm on my way there is another phone call, partner on the phone saying hurry up we want you here. I reassure them all is well and they should make a comfortable area. They don't need me. They are doing it well.
When I arrive I step quietly through the door carrying a bag. The birth vibe is everywhere, the lights are dim and I talk quietly. On all fours is a great strong birthing woman. I'm coloured by her aura. She says, "I'm glad your here. I'm pushing and I'm scared of this bit." I say "You've done it, this is the easy part, just concentrate on your baby". She gives a push and we see something. Her energy lifts me up and her courage has returned. We watch and wait. Each burst brings her closer to meeting her baby. Her partner whispers soft words of encouragement and her birth helpers sit around taking in the moment.
A bottom has appeared and then a foot. As the baby slowly descends with each limb becoming visible I feel honoured to be at the birth. To witness such power and love. There is a video running in the background, the birth being filmed by a friend I hardly notice.
The baby is born and I move her gently through legs to her parents. The birth mother unwraps the cord from around the baby's neck and the baby girl gives a small cry. They are ecstatic and relieved, crying and laughing. I am crying too, tears of pure joy.
Jubilation following Rose's breech homebirth
This isn't my birth story; no birth I attend is my story. It's the story of strength, belief and birth that belongs to each and every woman. For a midwife to really be in the moment is just to be there. To see the incredible nature of women and the glorious story of birth.
