“A woman, as long as she lives, will remember how she was made to feel at her birth.”
– Anna Verwaal, Doula – Business of Being Born (2008)
I know that I will never forget the day either of my sons were born. Each of them so different, and while their birth was the most amazing and joyous moments of my whole life, the delivery process was not at all what I expected it to be. Especially with my first son. I will never ever forget how I was made to feel both times I delivered my babies. Powerless and Powerful.
It’s hard to believe that last Labor Day I was 24 weeks pregnant and attending my first ImprovingBirth.org Birth Rally. While I had hoped to return this year and share my VBAC story with other moms I am traveling with my family. It was when I was pregnant with my second child that I began researching my birth options and found that simply having a vaginal birth after cesarean was not as easy as it should be. I began to read and become more informed on my birth rights, and was upset at what I saw with my own eyes in my own city. Hospitals and doctors denying women the right to have choices when it comes to delivering their babies. This rally was so moving and helped me to know I was on the right path for choosing the best birth for me.
At last years rally!
If there is one thing you should know about me it is that I am a firm believer in your body, your choice. However, in many parts of the country women don’t have a choice when it comes to delivery. C-section rates are at an all time high with few doctors even wanting to preform a VBAC delivery even if the hospital or insurance company lets them. This is why I believe that rallies like today’s national improving birth rally are so important. We as women need to know all our options and not blindly accept what others tell us. What works for one woman, may not for another. Whether you delivered naturally, with pain medicine, at home, in water, or via c-section, we all have the right to choose what birth experience is right for us.
I thought since I couldn’t be at the rally today, I would instead ask women to share their birth stories all week long on my blog. All kinds of stories. Both joyful and scary. Empowering, and frustrating. After all it is from other mothers we learn the most about how we can truly change the birthing system and that every birth is different, unique, and special.
This week you may read a story and think to yourself that that is NOT for you. That is okay!
Read, learn, enjoy, and most of all support each mother as they share the most special and amazing days of their lives.
You can read my birth stories here:
(Stories will be posted all week, and due to an overwhelming response I will continue to share one story a month. If you would like to share your story please email me at familyandlifeinlv@gmail.com.)
Do you remember how you were made to feel at your delivery?
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I didn’t like my first nurse when I had my oldest child. I was afraid she was going to send me home, which was 30 minutes away. The thought of going home and having to return was upsetting. The second time my nurse was my friend and it was incredible.
I think powerful and powerless are too very precise descriptions for my birth experiences as well. Powerful since I went successfully went through a drug free preeclampsia induction, a 35 week early surprise, and an emergency induction for low fluid. Powerless since I hemorrhaged after two deliveries and needed immediate surgery. I love the fact you’re showcasing different experiences 🙂
With a society like ours that loves to sue, sue, sue I guess it’s no wonder that doctors are erring on the side of caution with births. That’s both good and bad. 🙁
I’m planning on having a VBAC &so I totally know what you mean about the limited options here in Vegas- it’s crazy! I think I’ll be nervous until baby comes about being able to actually get my VBAC but I have a dr & hospital that are willing so my fingers are crossed.
I just had my 3rd c-section, no way Dr’s here would let me VBAC after 2 c-sections. It was hard at points for me but what mattered is that my baby got here safely!
I’m so glad you’re doing this.
I look forward to reading all the birth stories.