A spiritual birth

"This was a new nursing role,
A change in jobs
Moving from a hospital unit
To assist birth at home.

Labor pains came gently
Through the night.
A skylight streamed morning light
As she labored in a rocking chair.

Her labor intensified.
She walked, groaned, clutched my arm.
Glad for my presence and
Words of encouragement.

I supported her work,
Noticing her intuitive movements.
I assisted her position changes
And massaged her back.

She knelt down and asked me to pray.
In the hospital we offered an epidural
Or a syringe of narcotic.
She asked me to pray.

" I prayed as she moaned

And released her body to waves of pain and pressure.
Her cries filled the air.
Her body pushed.

The doctor placed a supportive hand
On the emerging baby girl.
And lifted her to welcome arms.
The baby nuzzled her mother's breast.

I recorded the time of birth
And offered orange juice.
Morning light evolved to afternoon glow.
I marvelled at God's design." *

This is how I wish every birth could be. I don't think a birth like this can only happen at home, or without an epidural, or with only the religious. Births like happen when women have the support they need and a recognition that there can be meaning in birth. In this poem, you notice that both the nurse and doctor were attentive to the emotional needs of the women as well as the medical needs. This is what needs to happen.

*http://www.carolvanderwoude.authorweblog.com/default.asp?date=new&do=PAGE&pid=2107

To Receive

I love how I have heard some midwives describe their involvement in the birth process. They say "I received a baby today". What a beautiful way of describing your involvement in the birth process. I think it has helped me to understand my own role. When I am with a woman birthing, I am also receiving something beyond the baby. I am gaining insight, a connection, and a relationship that would not have otherwise existed. I feel a deep sense of gratitude to help receive babies into this world.

New Artist

I've got some new photos up on my art gallery. Check it out at http://journeyofbirth.blogspot.com/2009/09/emily-weaver-brown.

New link

Sorry, this had to be deleted:(

Birth Stories

As part of these birthing classes I am putting together, I want to have a day set aside to honor the woman who is becoming a mother. During this class I would love to be able to share positive birth stories that help uplift and inspire. As such, I would love if anyone would like to contribute to this. I have a few questions that I would like for anyone to answer. They are questions that are posed by Pan England in Birthing From Within.

1. What helped you most when you gave birth?

2. What was your spiritual experience of giving birth?

3. Is there anything you would do differently?

4. What do you wish you had known before hand?

5. If you could do it over again, what do you wish you could do the same?

You could answer one of these or all.

Learning to love

"Motherhood is an immense responsibility. In my opinion, it is the most overwhelming, meaningful, incredible, transforming experience of a lifetime. No wonder it produces such emotional and physical change!"*

I don't remember feeling as much joy as I did at the birth of my first child. But I also feel like afterwards was one of the tougher times I've had mentally. Having a child is not for the weak minded. It is so hard to adjust to having another little body around that depends on you completely. I have also felt like it has taught me a lot also. Never before have I understood what it meant to be selfless, to sacrifice, to give of yourself so completely when you sometimes have very little to give. I have also learned how important it is to take care of myself. If you are empty, then you really have nothing to give. Of course this is something that I am still working on, but I appreciate the opportunity that motherhood has given me to learn to love, not only another little being, but also to love myself.

*From Gentle Baby Care by Elizabeth Pantley http://www.pantley.com/elizabeth/books/0071398856.php?nid=148&isbn=0071398856