I completed my certification with Childbirth International today, and am feeling so excited! All the hard work has paid off! So I can put those special little letters at the end of my name now, and probably confuse a lot of people! CD? Certified Doula. That's right!
I have been doing alot of reading on how our own birth experiences effect us in life. In Carol Tuttle's book "Remembering Wholeness" she talks about this in length. Here is an interesting quote from her book: "you go from a small space to an even smaller space -the birth canal- and through a tremendous amount of pain and effort, you are pushed and pulled through the birth canal. If your mother was anesthetized during the delivery, you feel completely abandoned and you feel you have to do everything on your own. How do I know this? It was one of my beliefs as a result my birth. I even went around complaining to my family, "Nobody is there for me. I always have to do everything by myself. I get no support!"
She goes on to speak of how we are (if we were born in a hospital) poked, prodded, cut, with no ability to move or speak under bright lights, in a cold room, with mommy far away unable to comfort us.
I was thinking of my 2nd birth, which was in a hospital. When I recall this birth, my first thought is fear. And after my son was taken to the nursery for some reason and I wanted him back. I called the nurse, they said they were changing shifts and I'd have to wait. I went to the window only to see my baby screaming and me unable to do anything but cry at the window. I didn't realize I had a voice to do anything. I felt angry and helpless. He cried for months after, and I now understand why he did, and why he was never very cuddley.
In contrast my last my last birth of my 4th son was at home. It was my second home birth, and the most wonderful experience. I long for it. He came into the world in a warm, dark room. Straight into my arms and nursed immediatly. He has been my most calm, sweet, peaceful child. When I think of this birth I think: peace.
What I am focusing on right now, is not just the imprint left on babies as a result of a traumatic birth, but the helplessness felt in so many mothers who are, because of hospital rituals and rules, left feeling like they are voiceless, and must submit to the powers of medicine.
My 2nd birth experience lead me on the journey to take birth into my own hands. This is one awesome things about being a doula. I have informed women, and they have in turn informed others! It's a wonderful ripple effect!
Most hospitals are changing to accomidate parents current needs. We need to let these hospitals know that we are informed and that we have a voice in our own experinces. That birth is normal and only when neccesary are interventions ok. All babies deserve to come into the world in a room full of warmth and peace and should be given to mom immedialty.
As more people are being informed and movies being made: "Business of Being Born", "Pregnant in America", "What Babies Want", "Birth As We Know It", I hope more parents will be able to make informed decisions about the birth of their most precious babies. . We need to preserve our rights to have babies at home, or without interventions if done in a hospital. We are learning more about the result of our births. We now can see that birth can shape who we are as adults, and to disregard this is foolish and closed minded. We have the power to change birth and make it positive and celebrated.
Do a woman you know a favor... tell her a positive birth story! Let's stop the generational line of fear in woman, and take back birth as it is... beautiful! When women see themselves as incredible creators and are willing to go through whatever amount of struggle (pain is very private, what level is felt if at all) to bring them into the world... they become empowered. This rite of passage is only available to those few with the courage to master themselves in this way. I truly believe that as we do as our foremothers did, in birthing and experiencing this miracle, we will become stronger and come to know ourselves deeply.
I have been a huge fan of Mehndi and Indian culture for a long time. I realized that all the doodling I do IS mehndi! So I have been designing patterns. I come from a family where creativity and artistry is inherent. My patterns are beautiful and fluid. I will be able to provide this service by November 2007. I am really excited about this... it's kind of a selfish thing!! I'll update the site to include this service soon!
Blessings!
