The Inspiration for Every Birth Matters
Forty years ago I found myself pregnant, overjoyed and overwhelmed. I was surrounded by what felt like a tsunami of advice and excitement. I had many friends in the health community and sought out their direction. My husband and I chose a provider that was known for supporting the normal process of birth. After all, my mom had passed down a legacy of birth to my sisters and I that reinforced our belief that childbirth was a powerful experience that we could look forward to. Over time I found myself disappointed with the short, curt visits with my provider and the pat responses to my questions. I explored other options but decided to write and communicate my wishes even going so far as to ask for his signature to prove his support of our intentions. This we planned to share with our nurses at the hospital.
The unfortunate truth was, even after attending a full series of classes with my partner and choosing the “natural birth” obstetrician, I was woefully unprepared, not for the rigors of labor but for the constant interruptions and cascade of unnecessary and unneeded interventions. I was managed and that management caused my beautifully designed body, in its wisdom, to slow and finally shut down completely in an effort to protect my precious baby. The wonderful and victorious parts followed as my husband and friend cared for me through a long difficult induction after labor stopped. We gave birth, we bonded, and there was sheer ecstasy in the moments and hours after Kyle’s glorious entrance earth side. We were different people. I was born as a mom, my husband became a dad and Kyle our beloved newborn had changed our world forever.
I believe there is tremendous value in the birth experience itself. I believe the mother's body has been beautifully designed to give birth and nourish her baby.
I have found that most women can give birth with no interference and a lot of encouragement and support.
I have witnessed mothers and babies benefit from the hormones of natural childbirth and the profound bonding and blessing of working through her personal birth story, making educated, intuitive and thoughtful decisions for the wellbeing of herself and her baby.
We were entirely new.
As I shared with other mamas I found my birthing experience was not uncommon and that many women wanting a natural birth nevertheless ended up with a myriad of unnecessary interventions. Kyle’s significant and humbling beginning set me on a path and ignited a passion for what I believe is a woman’s best held treasure: the creation and birth of her babies. That first lesson-filled birth began a life of learning with four more powerful home births and have helped me prepare and support over 5,000 families for birth and for life.
I believe birth matters—to the mother, the baby, the dad, and the family. Birth is a natural process, designed to bless and build healthy families on the strong foundation of love and trust. It was designed to be the most transformational and powerful experience of a woman’s life, an experience that she may draw strength from in the days, weeks and years after her children are born.
Mother, your Birth Matters.
To read Tracy’s full story, click here.
The Benefits of Natural Childbirth
Most techniques are non-invasive so there is little harm or side effects to you or your baby.
Many women feel more in control and have a sense of empowerment during labor and accomplishment after labor.
There is no loss of sensation or alertness. You can move more freely for comfort and participate in pushing when the time comes.
You're less likely than women who get epidurals to need interventions such as oxytocin (Pitocin) to make your contractions stronger, bladder catheterization, or a vacuum extraction or forceps delivery.
Your partner can participate in the experience to help you manage your pain and bring your child into the world.
The breathing exercises, visualization, and self-hypnosis you learn to get through labor can be helpful when getting used to breastfeeding, dealing with postpartum discomfort and dealing with the stress of your newborn.
The body creates high levels of oxytocin during labor, which aids in the healing, bonding and milk production of the mother after delivery.
Labor is often shorter
Epidurals often increase use of other medical interventions
Breastfeeding is facilitated
Natural Childbirth is often healthier for mom and baby
Faster recovery time
Greater connection to the experience
It is deeply empowering
For an informative scholarly article posted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) from the Journal of Perinatal Education that describes what happens in normal, natural birth including the hormones, process, and benefits click here.
