New Beginnings Doula Training

New Beginnings Doula Training
Courses for doulas and online childbirth education

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Facing the Giants

I just recently watched Facing the Giants, and through the whole thing couldn't help relating it to birth and motherhood. Essentially this is a movie about overcoming obstacles that seem bigger than you. It just so happened that I had just helped with a difficult labor/c-section the night before.

Here's what I came away with...much of what we experience in life can seem larger than us. I know, as a mom, there are days when I feel like there is no way I can do another day like the one I just had. In labor, I think we come to same conclusions. There is no way I can handle another contraction, there is no way I can push any longer. There is no way I can take care of this baby once I go home.

One of the things that we have to do during these times is depend on something larger than ourselves. If we feel that we are alone, then we feel small and unable to conquer. As a Christian, my faith in God helps a lot. For those that aren't Christian though, one of the greatest "power" we can have is our love for our children. If we can grab a hold of that and hang on, I really feel like that can help us to face our own giants.

The other thing that helps is realizing that facing our giants may have to be done in ways we aren't expecting. I had one mom that when faced with forceps/c-section, said a prayer, and pushed that baby right out. Another one I had when faced with the same situation, gave it all she had to the very last, but needed a c-section. Both faced their giants in different ways. One was able to deliver vaginally, the other had to face her fears of a c-section. Both were equally strong. And both were able to push themselves above what they thought was possible to overcome difficulties.

1 comment:

Rachel said...

This came from my facebook page also from Lanette:

I wanted to comment too, but couldn't figure it out. I am a mom that likes drugs during labor...but considering how my labors progress I always end up with the pit and an epidural. But personnally when it somes to someone saying a c-section would be better, I can't help but think: natural has obviously worked for thousands of years, so I think I'll stick to God's way of doing it over some person's opinion and ideas. A C-section is a wonderful procedure when needed, but not anything I would choose. They started to mention it when I had Brigham. He was under a lot of stress and I was only at a 5. The nurse left to consult the doctor. Patrick said a prayer, blessing the baby, and before the nurse came back I was fully dialated and felt "pressure". By the time the doctor got there and they allowed me to push Brig was out by the time the nurse got to a 6 counting during the first contraction. Brig did great from his blessing on. Like your other note, prayer and faith help in labor!"

Birth is a Journey: Does it have to be life changing?


  • One woman might have to climb on an overfilled boat, risking her life and nearly dying as she escapes over the ocean to come to this land. This experience could certainly be life altering. It may very well color the rest of her life, positively or negatively. (I overcame this amazing struggle and here I am triumphant! OR Holy crap, that was SO hard I don’t know if I can go on! By the way, neither response is “right”. No one would judge the woman with the 2nd response.)
  • One woman may buy an airplane ticket, sit on a comfortable 747 and fly to America with a nice smooth flight and landing. She is happy to be in America. Those welcoming her are glad she is here safe and sound. She may only travel by plane 2-4 times in her life, so it is pretty memorable. But the journey itself probably wouldn’t be life changing; it would simply be a journey.
  • One woman may learn to fly an ultra-light plane to lead a flock of geese into America teaching them to migrate. This experience could certainly be empowering and life altering.