shebirths.com

* This post evolved into something I wasn’t expecting-it mentions maternal/baby deaths, and I would NOT suggest reading this if you are pregnant and/or haven’t come to terms with this topic. *

I have started this post so many times I’ve lost count. In my most recent blog post on  (*if you’re expecting a baby, please don’t click this link!) my other blog, I went off my normal topic, basically letting loose about some of what I think about what’s happening in our world, and in particular here in North America. (Hey-it’s my blog, my prerogative!) I yelled and shouted and hopefully…at least one person will wake up.

But when I sat down here to write this post about some information I just received from a very dear, very valuable Birth worker, I found myself writing in the same tone, because truly I’m so sick of the injustices surrounding the topic of Birth and Women’s Rights in Birth, that I get really angry. Hey-I’m human! However, I don’t want those who read both of my blogs to feel I’ve “lost control”, or to tune out…that would be rather counterproductive.

With this motivation in mind, I’ve taken a few deep breaths, put on some nice soothing music…and I’m going to calmly try this again. I’m hoping this post will be a precursor to the full story-and a call to action, but sometimes sensitivity to legal issues is the most helpful thing we can offer….so this is going to be tricky-how to say what’s on my mind without sharing the story so you, as the reader can fully understand the absolute idiocy of this situation, and the injustice surrounding the whole thing….

But in the meantime, here’s my comment: 

I’d just like to say (gently of course) that I really hate it that women have to stress about who can/should/is allowed to be present and giving help during the birth of THEIR baby. Honestly-with all the legislation and meddling the governments in North America inflict on couples bearing/birthing their children, it makes us wonder whose baby the government REALLY believed it is… (If they can dictate your birth, jail you for not vaccinating-take your kids and perform unnecessary (unnecessary because the child is already cured-and proven to be cancer-free) chemotherapy treatments on your kids, and force you to close down your homeschooling set-up and send your kids to school….maybe this question isn’t so far-fetched!)

I also wonder what messages-both direct and subconscious are being communicated to the population through this issue.

Let’s set aside all the questions about the bigger “agenda”, and how all this bullying, prying and government legislation of a topic which quite frankly is none of their damn business leads to complicit people who trust the government without question…(because it’s the environment they’ve been raised in themselves…) babies who have been injured-programmed if you will, at birth by the violence found in medical births-and mothers who are weakened-NOT strengthened by their birth experience….(sorry, was that a rant?)

And let’s talk about the harsh reality-the ones people hate to consider. Here it is: Babies are going to die. Even some mothers are going to die. It sucks-it’s horrible-it’s tragic when it happens to someone we know or love, and noone wants to be that statistic. We ALL want happy, healthy, glowing mothers and babies-but in reality, it can’t be a 100% perfect situation, because it’s nature. Look at nature-and see the truth about the process. And then STOP trying to make it something other than what it is. Stop thinking that if we cut open everyone’s stomach, and yank the babies out butt first, or induce them on some magical day with chemicals never even tested for that purpose, THEN the survival rate will be much better-much more predictable. No, it actually increases the risks to both mother and baby, sets them up for a long path of difficult healing, and if-Goddess forgive-someone should pass anyway, it leaves very little to hold on to, and a whole lot of “what ifs”. Death is a part of life. And blaming anyone (aside from true negligence) is in reality, just a type of denial-denial that we are part of nature, and denial of the reality of life/death-which is ridiculous, because it is what it is.

Sorry-got a little sidetracked. Well anyhow, here it is in plain English: My 5 Smooth Stones:

1) WOMEN HAVE THE RIGHT to birth where they want, when they want (not being forced into induction or scheduled C-section) and with whom they want. NOONE-not doctors, not legislators, not boyfriends or husbands has the right to force her into ANYthing she doesn’t want for herself and/or her baby.

2) GOVERMENTS NEED TO GET OUT OF OUR VAGINAS: Yes, I said the V-word. Who the heck started the rumor that being told when/how many times we will have our vaginas checked-throughout our lives and in pregnancy/labor, (and which ten student doctors will have the pleasure of learning on us) was NORMAL? How can we spend years teaching our daughters that they are sacred, and their intimate body parts are special and then send them into an office with a strange person who sticks metal things up them and looks at them like they are under a microscope!? Do you see the contradiction!!?

3) BIRTH WORKERS ARE A TREASURE NOT COMPETITION TO ELIMINATE. I cannot tell you how much I can’t stand seeing very capable, trusted women forced, coerced or blackmailed out of their jobs as Midwives-(and I’m including lay-midwives here) simply because the government(s) hate being out-performed. Women have the right to compassionate, women-centered care during such an intimate and life-changing time. It is the WOMAN’S needs that should be at the pinnacle of every health care interjection-NOT how that woman can be used to make money for the medical community or the local health care provider.

4) WHAT HAPPENS TO WOMEN IN BIRTH is a direct reflection of how she is viewed in her society. You cannot say women are equal, and valuable members of society and then take away their rights as soon as they begin to procreate. Babies are not investments to be managed-and neither are women.

5) WOMEN THROUGHOUT HISTORY have been the ones on the side of change. We have fought, shouted and organized more “wars” on: slavery, women’s rights, prohibition, and anti-war issues. Now it’s time to fight for our most basic right-the right to our bodies. The right to protect ourselves from being touched, injected, monitored and tested without our consent.

So…What are your 5 Smooth Stones, and what are you going to do with them?

 (And yes,  I realize my tone was a little less than “sweet”-but it’s toned down from what I had originally! )

Filed under: liberal, fundamentalism, placenta, alternative lifestyle, sex, Health Rights, Codex Alimentarius, Natural Health, Childbirth preparation, natural parenting, spirituality, birth, women, women's rights, natural birth, unassisted birth, midwives, Uncategorized on March 23rd, 2009