Author David Vernon is compiling a new book on perinatal depression, featuring stories by women and men who have been through it. If you think you could contribute please email him dvbooks@mac.com. No previous writing experience is necessary. Sharing your story is really important to help others.


16th & 23rd May WEA Course - Natural Birth and Waterbirth

Saturday, May 10, 2008

Birth Stories - A Change In Tradition

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.

Photograph from a recent Birth Story - Notice the face in the mirror

Photograph from a recent Birth Story - Notice the face in the mirror

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.

After a beautiful homebirth there's plenty of time for reflection
After a beautiful homebirth there's plenty of time for reflection

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.


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
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.
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.

Thursday, May 8, 2008

Visit to Parliament, Homebirth supporters

Birth is a normal part of life, and homebirth is part of the normality. I don't understand why people have such an issue with those of us in society who want the best care for our family in our own home. It's a little like global warming. There are the fanatics, the fence sitters and the politicians!!




this is homebirth, as safe as life gets


Midwifery is political, the issue of women having the best care throughout their childbirth cycle is owned by the money and power behind the "industry" of birth. Homebirth, although only a minute part of the community, threatens the very core of the power hungry and the greedy. There is no doubt about it. The argument for and against the saftey of homebirth is the least important part of the debate. The amount of homebirthing women is so small that they could just let us get on with it. Even if they thought it was the most dangerous of practices it wouldn't affect the masses. Instead, Today I go to parliament to listen to our grievance being aired for the record and for public debate. Money and power is obvious.

I have never been to a sitting before, and Frances Bedford was speaking after question time. We arrived before the end so we were signed in and told to go to the strangers gallery where we must remain silent. I think that says it all.




Mothers, dads, babies and midwives sat together watching. I could hardly believe what I was seeing. The chamber at this point was full. The Politicians were bantering, heckling the speaker. One guy was reading the paper another on her mobile phone, One member on a lap top shows his pals in front something extremely funny.(porn most likely)

Then one by one they started to leave. The minister for health spoke at the end of question time then left the chamber. WTF. A health issue was about to be tabled. At the time Frances got up to speak, 6 politicians remained in the chamber. Each issue gets 5 mins. The clock starts and the speed talking commenced. We learned later that nobody is listening, it's done to get it on the record. She sped through international midwives day, the issues and didn't once stop for breath so she could fit it in. At 5 mins she has to stop regardless to where she was in her explanation. While she spoke, 1 person remained on mobile 2 in her own party chatted and 2 ummed and arrhed . This is democracy? I was disgusted. Frances Bedford was excellent and we got afternoon tea for her efforts. She felt it went well. God knows what happens if it goes badly.

I whispered to Tania, lets clap at the end. We did and everyone joined. The speaker said even though we were enthusiastic that wasn't on. The security guard said you can't clap it's silent. I couldn't be removed as I was leaving with a smug look on my face.




Now I think we wait. I will be going back each week, if I'm free for question time as a constant reminder until someone listens. Muriel Matters who was a suffragette Championed women's causes. We are going to start organising something to commemorate her anniversary in October. Look out!!

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Homebirth Teaching Sessions

Everything you wanted to know about homebirth and independent practice

Presented by Lisa Barrett

6 weekly seminars/workshops

Aug 12th - Panel discussion with Jennifairy Gillett, Rose Pride, Tania Smallwood, Rosey Smart-Vaher and Lisa Barrett. An exiting opportunity to ask questions and hear more about independant practice and homebirth.
Aug 19th - Risk Assessment and VBACS: co presenter -Tania Smallwood
Aug 26th - Breech birth: co presenter - Rose Pride
Sept 2nd - Twins: co presenter - TBA
Sept 9th - Water Birth: co presenter - Rosey Smart-Vaher
Sept 16th - Lotus Birth: co presenter - Jennifairy Gillet


Komodo Cafe, 118 prospect Rd, Prospect. Food and wine available.


$160.00 for all 6 sessions to be paid by money order to IMWorkshop, 19 Denman St, Exeter, SA 5019 or direct transfer (please email for bank acct details naomiruthwilliamson@mac.com) Pay in full or negotiate a deposit to secure a place.


Note: We have had a huge amount of interest for these workshops. Places made available on a first in first served basis.

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Water birth, the talk.

This is the slide show that accompanied the talk I gave yesterday. I was talking to hospital midwives so wanted to make it interesting, informative but in some way relevant. That's a hard call as all my pictures are of homebirths. I did make myself notes but actually used the pictures to prompt myself. The discussion came quite easily and I still didn't get through everything I wanted to.

I covered all the major issues affecting midwifery confidence surrounding waterbirth . Everything I could think of, from do you need gloves? To the third stage in the water. Most of my thoughts on it you can already find under waterbirth