First off, I can't start this blog without a huge congrats going out to Betsy and her amazing family on the birth of Ellie. I feel so incredibly happy to have Betsy in my life and can't wait to meet them all! I'm so proud of Betsy. Incredibly proud. And also jealous of her birth and new baby. :D
To be honest, when Betsy asked me to guest blog I had no idea what to write about.
One of my biggest passions in life is birth. Completely fueled by the birth of my daughter, Leena, I became a crazed lunatic soaking up any information I could on how to NOT have another birth experience like that again, for me, for my future children. Think crazed Spongebob and that is what I look like. ;)
You can read my whole experience here if you are interested in the whole story. I still to this day feel an incredible amount of guilt for my lack of knowledge I had on childbirth. I wanted to go "natural" but I was ill-prepared to say the least. I did (and now even more so) believe in the power of the woman body but being force-fed lies my entire life that childbirth is "scary" and "infinitely painful" through the mass of the general public, the media and especially "A Baby Story" from TLC I didn't get a natural birth in the least. Leena got tortured because of my lack of knowledge.
For a bit I didn't even want another child out of fear of having another birthing experience like the last thinking that was normal and is IS a normal birth if I chose a hospital birth again. I want to be aware and involved with labor. I want to feel all the instincts that any intervention blocks. I want to be present. Leena deserved that from me and I didn't give it to her. I couldn't have another kid if I couldn't give them all of me.
It interfered with breast feeding. It interfered with our bonding. It interfered.
HOMEBIRTH.
A dirty 9 letter word for the majority of OB/gyn's. Usually when I mention homebirth to someone I usually get a gasp and a comment about how they would NEVER consider it. They "aren't brave enough" or "like the security of a hospital". Honestly, I'm not brave enough to go back to a hospital to birth again.
My challenge to everyone is to dispel the stigma of childbirth. Research your options. Simply look at statistics of mortality rates of hospitals vs homebirth. Know that YOU instinctively know what is best for you and your baby. Don't take your doctor's word for it. Don't take ANYONE'S word for it. Own your choices. Take back your power and let your body take over you. Know your birth will change you forever, for better or for worse. Understand that nothing is better for the birth of your baby than simply the mechanics of your body with your baby's help. They know how to be born.
No artificial can trump the power of a momma and baby working together.
Some resources for you all about natural birth and being aware:
Documentary:
The Business of Being Born by Ricki Lake
(available for instant watch on netflix)
Orgasmic Birth: The Best-Kept Secret by Debra Pascali-Bonaro
Books:
Ina May Gaskin's Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin
(Seriously, throw out "What to Expect When You're Expecting!)
Childbirth Without Fear by Grantly Dick-Read
Blogs:
Bellies and Babies
Mama Birth
Facebook Groups:
Purple Lotus Doulas
Childbirth Information Network
A Much Better Way
That's just a few resources I would recommend but there is an incredible amount of information out there.
Thank you for letting me share. Love to you all!
Blog. Etsy. Facebook.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Katelyn and I share so many viewpoints and ideals, we hit it off as soon as we started chatting. I was so happy when she chose to write about natural birthing, as I'm so passionate about it as well. She's an amazing photographer, crafty lady, awesome wife and mama, and free spirit. She also runs a wonderful facebook group called Project: Chasing Beauty - a project to teach our daughters to love themselves, despite what the media tells them to look like.
Thanks so much Katelyn for sharing your experience and thoughts!!
To be honest, when Betsy asked me to guest blog I had no idea what to write about.
One of my biggest passions in life is birth. Completely fueled by the birth of my daughter, Leena, I became a crazed lunatic soaking up any information I could on how to NOT have another birth experience like that again, for me, for my future children. Think crazed Spongebob and that is what I look like. ;)
You can read my whole experience here if you are interested in the whole story. I still to this day feel an incredible amount of guilt for my lack of knowledge I had on childbirth. I wanted to go "natural" but I was ill-prepared to say the least. I did (and now even more so) believe in the power of the woman body but being force-fed lies my entire life that childbirth is "scary" and "infinitely painful" through the mass of the general public, the media and especially "A Baby Story" from TLC I didn't get a natural birth in the least. Leena got tortured because of my lack of knowledge.
For a bit I didn't even want another child out of fear of having another birthing experience like the last thinking that was normal and is IS a normal birth if I chose a hospital birth again. I want to be aware and involved with labor. I want to feel all the instincts that any intervention blocks. I want to be present. Leena deserved that from me and I didn't give it to her. I couldn't have another kid if I couldn't give them all of me.
It interfered with breast feeding. It interfered with our bonding. It interfered.
HOMEBIRTH.
A dirty 9 letter word for the majority of OB/gyn's. Usually when I mention homebirth to someone I usually get a gasp and a comment about how they would NEVER consider it. They "aren't brave enough" or "like the security of a hospital". Honestly, I'm not brave enough to go back to a hospital to birth again.
My challenge to everyone is to dispel the stigma of childbirth. Research your options. Simply look at statistics of mortality rates of hospitals vs homebirth. Know that YOU instinctively know what is best for you and your baby. Don't take your doctor's word for it. Don't take ANYONE'S word for it. Own your choices. Take back your power and let your body take over you. Know your birth will change you forever, for better or for worse. Understand that nothing is better for the birth of your baby than simply the mechanics of your body with your baby's help. They know how to be born.
No artificial can trump the power of a momma and baby working together.
Some resources for you all about natural birth and being aware:
Documentary:
The Business of Being Born by Ricki Lake
(available for instant watch on netflix)
Orgasmic Birth: The Best-Kept Secret by Debra Pascali-Bonaro
Books:
Ina May Gaskin's Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin
(Seriously, throw out "What to Expect When You're Expecting!)
Childbirth Without Fear by Grantly Dick-Read
Blogs:
Bellies and Babies
Mama Birth
Facebook Groups:
Purple Lotus Doulas
Childbirth Information Network
A Much Better Way
That's just a few resources I would recommend but there is an incredible amount of information out there.
Thank you for letting me share. Love to you all!
Blog. Etsy. Facebook.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Katelyn and I share so many viewpoints and ideals, we hit it off as soon as we started chatting. I was so happy when she chose to write about natural birthing, as I'm so passionate about it as well. She's an amazing photographer, crafty lady, awesome wife and mama, and free spirit. She also runs a wonderful facebook group called Project: Chasing Beauty - a project to teach our daughters to love themselves, despite what the media tells them to look like.
Thanks so much Katelyn for sharing your experience and thoughts!!
1 comments:
Good post! I loved the business of being born. I didn't care much for Orgasmic births though... a little too intense for me (you know, I was super pregnant and emotional). Natural births for the win!
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