I recently read an excellent blog post by Mama Birth (the article) expounding on the myth of women in third world countries who can give birth in a rice paddy and then continue on with their work, baby tied to their back. While I believe this may have happened and may still be happening in third world countries, I don't really believe that this is where the power of a woman truly lies.
The true power of a woman lies deep within herself. A birthing mother has fears, questions, and anxious thoughts. "What if I can't". All of these must be faced at some point or another as she contemplates the labor and birth of her baby and the fact that she is that baby's mother from now until eternity. These fears can be daunting.
Fortunately, there have been women before her that have had all the same fears. Her mother, her sister, a friend, the lady that writes a blog. Many women have gone before her to pave the way and show her that she can indeed give birth. The power of a woman is mighty. The power of a woman is that which can surmount the impossible. You may have heard that birth is like pushing a watermelon through a garden hose. While I don't agree with this analogy, we are talking about a task that does take some effort. Yes, it may hurt. I won't lie to you. But, I can tell you this: Your body was made for this purpose. Your body has the ability to stretch, to open, to flower. Much like a bud, the body releases gently allowing the baby to pass through.
The power of a woman's body is amazing, the power of her uterus to be able to push out a baby is amazing. A paralyzed woman can do it - it's that powerful. You may feel like you are not up to the task. I say, if you truly want to, you CAN do it. I have seen it many times over with my own to eyes (and I'm still in awe). A woman's body is truly powerful.
Anything birthy, natural,green but I truly love homebirth, so, please send me your stories!
3 comments:
You're totally right! When people ask me about birthing naturally, and say they don't think they can do it... My response is, "Your body can do it, this is what your body was made to do. The biggest obstacle is getting out of your body's way to let it happen!"
Love you Salli!!!
Amen! With my first birth (typical hospital birth...on my back, IV, constant monitor, etc...) I ended up with an epidural because I couldn't handle the contractions. That was my biggest fear with my home birth: that I wouldn't be able to handle it...that I'd give up.
Yes, it was hard. The last 2 hours of my birth were the hardest. However, it was the most rewarding thing I've experienced.
Yes, our bodies were meant to birth naturally. Although birth is accompanied with pain, it is accompanied with ecstasy. It is anger and forgiveness, sadness and happiness, weakness and strength, stubbornness and submission, fear and courage, hate and love combined. It is all of that and so much more. All of this is coming from within our bodies and it is not greater than us BECAUSE it IS coming from WITHIN us - harnessed into incredible power. Then that baby is born, all of that "suffering" was worth it.
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