I've really been wanting to create a space to share positive, empowering birth stories. Birth is such a transformational, magical experience that deserves to be celebrated. So often it's the negative ones that we hear the most. I don't know what it is about human nature, but we seem more eager to share the heartrending or traumatic, than the simple, peaceful and natural. But, as women, I think we need to be better about sharing positive stories so that we can create a culture of positivity and optimism about birth. Of course, I'm coming at this from a slightly selfish view; I'm looking for all the positive birth associations I can to feed into my psyche in preparation for the big day in July! So, I'm asking all of you to share your positive stories of natural birth. If you know other women who have uplifting stories to tell, please ask them to share as well. I'd like to post a story once a week until this summer, a small step toward recreating our cultural image of birth into something more natural, more healthy, more joyous and more empowered. You can email the stories to me at progressivepioneer@gmail.com. Here's what I'm looking for:
- Positive experiences only, please. For example, I tend not to share the scary details of Sam's birth with other women (especially expectant mothers!), only the emotional/spiritual aspect of it. While acknowledging and appreciating that there are situations that call for medical intervention (my first birth being one), I'd like to keep this a forum that showcases natural births.
- Four paragraphs or less.
- The who, what, when and where (ex: you, your husband and midwife at home with a birthing pool, slow walks around and around your yard on an August summer night etc. etc.)
- Techniques that helped you (visualization, birthing ball, vocalizing, massage, water etc.)
- How you felt!
- Meeting the new little one.
Of course, each person's story will be special and unique, so share what makes your story special. I hope to hear from a lot of you! I really appreciate when women take the time to encourage and support each other. And I think it's so important to tell our stories, both for the exercise of listening and of being heard. It's important to be heard, to share and to listen.
