What is happening in modern day birthing?

     Forgive me if I sound biased, but I feel compelled to speak on behalf of pregnant women in modern day America. When I was pregnant with my first child, I essentially didn't know the first thing about what I teach now.  I had no idea how my stress levels ,which were off the charts, were affecting my unborn daughter's brain chemistry and nervous system, or how I ate, and what I thought or feared impacted her growth and development for life. I didn't know the first thing about breathing or being relaxed during birth, or how horrific the postpartum period could be on my mind, emotions, and body. I didn't realize that having a network of support would be invaluable during all phases of this rite of passage and that I was essentially open, vulnerable, and defenseless without one. I didn't know the toll that birthing and an unsupported, undernourished postpartum period can take on the mother both emotionally and physically. I knew nothing about the impact of the pelvic floor and diasthesis on the mom both physically and emotionally, either. This leads me to ask WHY aren't women learning this invaluable information in middle school in a mainstream healthclass? I can imagine the powerful impact this one small change would have on the future birthing generation. All I knew when I was pregnant was that birthing hurt more than anything I would ever experience, yet no woman could describe it to me, really. I am appauled that what is critically essential to know, be aware of, and prepared for emotionally, spiritually, and physically, during one of the most important, potentially empowering, vulnerable times in a woman's life is virtually inaccessible. Yes, there is information all over the internet, but not what a woman is really needing to build a support network, and nourish her physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Consequently, it seems that a woman has to first go through a birthing experience in order to realize what she needed, and seek out those professionals or mentors, for subsequent births, if this is what she chooses. Is it really necessary for so many women to incur so much trauma during their birthing experiences, when much of what happens in birth is preventable, with a supportive professional, personal, familial, and social network, as well as adequate mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual preparation. Sadly, much of what goes on is preventable from the top down and women end up internalizing what "went wrong" in their birthing experience, when they did the very best they could with what they had access to. This scenario is what empassions my work with pregnant women, because I know it can be different and I want to support each woman in having the very best pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experience that they can have.(Check out Nourishing the Mother: Sacred Pregnancy Retreats and Workshops for more information on support available to you during this time).

      The other scenario I witness frequently are pregnant women who have stressful careers, and are attempting to maximize their maternity leave with their babies. Many of them feel they have to fit their pregnancy and motherhood into their careers rather than vice versa because we don't give our mom's the support they need to take the time they need to transition into motherhood in a healthy way; financially, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. They aren't able to fully relax into and relish in their pregnancies the way their bodies, minds, spirits, and babies are calling them to.  They have to keep going, as if they aren't pregnant and maybe squeeze a massage, yoga, or birthing class into their schedule. This is quite a stressful dilemma for so many women and moms, as it is the antithesis of the natural rhythm they are being called to enter into while they are pregnant and postpartum. Breastfeeding can be an additional challenge for women reentering the workforce because there isn't always an overtly supportive area for them to pump in to continue the process they began before returning to the workforce. This is a very tender time for women on all levels, as they feel pressured to return to work before they are emotionally and sometimes physically ready to do.

     All these moms are superheroes and I refer to each and everyone of them this way. You all carry such incredible strength, power, beauty, and grace, and I want to support each and everyone of you in connecting with these qualities inside of yourself, not only for you, but for your children, families, and every woman that needs to be reminded of her own beauty, power, and strength reflected back to her through your eyes.