Did you know that in America, almost every woman's first exposure to childbirth will be with her own baby? This is a huge crisis in our modern world! Instead of young girls and grown women witnessing/assisting with their laboring sister, neighbor, and friend in the community (we used to birth in groups of support, woman wisdom, and inspiration), we are taught everything we need to know by watching fear-laced TV specials like "One Born Every Minute" and "I Didn't Know I Was Pregnant", OR by a care provider (once we are already pregnant) who is probably not trained in gentle birth. Most Obstetricians in America have never attended or witnessed a normal physiological childbirth. [Please read that again.]
Of course the average woman is terrified to give birth... she hasn't seen how beautiful and simple it can be, and everyone around her is telling her she CAN'T do it. I firmly believe that these generations need exposure to normal, gentle, physiological birth - as much as possible. The spin our culture has put on birth recently (within the past 150 years) is beyond frustrating... remember "Twilight Sleep" anyone?! Zero informed consent there! Not only are many of these common practices not evidence-based, birth is now full of fear, usually with unnecessary surprise interventions, and portrayed in such a negative light. GOOD NEWS: Birth is not something to be afraid of! Although of course not every woman will want to go this route (which is absolutely wonderful if she has given true informed consent every step of the way and is empowered because of it... as a Doula I support all birthing choices!), worldwide studies show that low risk women and babies are actually SAFEST when birthing in a low intervention way (think midwives, home births, birth centers, etc). The United States ranks terribly in Maternal Mortality (7x the rate of Singapore, 3x the rate of Germany, 2x the rate of the United Kingdom and Canada), and has the highest rate of first-day infant mortality of any country in the developed world. We have GOT to change these numbers... look at what those countries are doing differently. Luckily, we don't have to choose either a safe birth OR a comfortable birth, we can have both! Hundreds of thousands of women have pain-free, AMAZING natural childbirth experiences. What's the secret? Proper support, education, preparation, releasing the fears, having an amazing birth team, no hormone blockers, and utilizing helpful birthing tools. Birth really is MIND over MATTER. Our bodies were created for this. Believe it and you can achieve it.
Yes, I am live streaming my CNM assisted home birth. On the internet.
Our first home birth has 2.3 Million views on YouTube, although we didn't stream it live. [link]
No, I'm not crazy. I'm not doing this to get bonus points, or applause, or to be selfish. I understand that birth can take unexpected turns and we are prepared for the small chance of a change of plans. I am not expecting my own personal birth experience to change anyone's mind one way or another... that is NOT what I want.
It is my goal to continue inspiring and showing women and their families the normalcy of pregnancy and birth. It can be an empowering, beautiful experience! DON'T FEED THE FEARS.
As a Birth Doula, I am hired by families to fully support birthing moms and dads through their hospital births, medicated births, epidurals, planned cesareans, outdoor natural birth in a birth pool by candlelight, etc! I am not one to say which way a family should welcome their babies earth side. Education, knowing your options, giving informed consent (and refusal), and making empowering decisions are the keys to a great birth. I will always respect others' birthings -- I hope you respect and are inspired by mine!
Yes, I am live streaming my CNM assisted home birth. On the internet.
Our first home birth has 2.3 Million views on YouTube, although we didn't stream it live. [link]
No, I'm not crazy. I'm not doing this to get bonus points, or applause, or to be selfish. I understand that birth can take unexpected turns and we are prepared for the small chance of a change of plans. I am not expecting my own personal birth experience to change anyone's mind one way or another... that is NOT what I want.
It is my goal to continue inspiring and showing women and their families the normalcy of pregnancy and birth. It can be an empowering, beautiful experience! DON'T FEED THE FEARS.
As a Birth Doula, I am hired by families to fully support birthing moms and dads through their hospital births, medicated births, epidurals, planned cesareans, outdoor natural birth in a birth pool by candlelight, etc! I am not one to say which way a family should welcome their babies earth side. Education, knowing your options, giving informed consent (and refusal), and making empowering decisions are the keys to a great birth. I will always respect others' birthings -- I hope you respect and are inspired by mine!
