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.

A new level of ten

At the hospital we have a pain rating system: 0 is no pain, and 10 is the worst pain. I had a mother come in last night with a pain level of 10. A little while later when asked about her pain level, she said she had reached a new level of 10. It got me to thinking about how the pain we experience gives us new levels of tens. Not just in labor, but as mothers also.

Labor is a good example of how we overcome those times and draw meaning from them. And I can tell you now, it is not done alone. Or at least, it is much easier if not done alone. One of the things I value most about my labor experience was how my relationship with my husband was affected. I think it really helped draw us closer together. I thought it was really tender to watch these new parents I worked with, come together to overcome a new level of ten. I loved being a part of that also as I helped to calm and reassure a new mom.

I think we all hit new levels of tens in our lives. I think it helps to have someone to hold onto. I think we also need to keep in mind that we should be reaching out also to help someone else with their new levels of ten. Then maybe those tens will seem more bearable.

Connecting

My sister in law has recently been having a more difficult pregnancy due to placenta previa, and it got me thinking about not so normal births-ones where we have problems, with mom or baby. Albeit 90% of the time, there is no problem, but that 10% can sure be hard to wade through much less think about what sort of meaning there can be in it.

As I was thinking about this, though, I was impressed by the amount of support that is needed for a mom like this. You have the medical community, of course, but you also have family, friends, spouse, and many others that help to cradle that mom who is experiencing difficulties. In a sense, that mom is surrounded by a nest of those around her to help her cope and overcome.

There is something different to gain in an experience like this..it has more to do with community and support for a new mom. While they can be difficult at times, it is nice to see these connections happen. And I'm not sure they would have otherwise.

New facebook group

For those of you who are on facebook, I've started a new group that is centered around the journey of giving birth.  You can find it at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=43960909365