Thirty years ago I spent 3 months of my life in a birthing house on the border of Texas and Mexico. It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. To this day I have no idea how I heard about this birthing house. There was no internet to google such things. My mind is convinced I just magically ended up there.
During this three month experience I witnessed 96 amazing women give birth. Today I’m going to tell you about a special birth I attended. I’d like to say supported but truly she did it all herself.
On this particular day the birthing house was busy, four rooms were full with only one to spare. A Mexican family drove into the parking lot. There were a couple of small children in the car, a grandmother, the pregnant woman and the father driving. The father came in with the labouring woman. He got her set up in the room then left to attend to the car full of family.
I introduced myself in my less than perfect Spanish and let her know I’d be her midwife today. She seemed shy with few words to say. She went into the bathroom to get changed. I left her to it, soon to return. When I returned she was dressed in the most beautiful kimono, she looked stunning. Wow, I hadn't seen this yet, another day and more to learn.
She was clearly in labour but required very little from me. To set the scene, each room had a queen size bed. Mama would lie back semi sitting with pillows. in between contractions and then sit herself up during a contraction. She sat cross legged and was silently breathing. I thought she looked like a birthing goddess. Over the space of a few hours I’d occasionally pop my head in to see if she was okay. Her eyes were closed and the same pattern of rocking back and forth from sitting to lying was continuing. Then to my surprise when I next came in to visit her, 20 minutes after the last visit, I found her welcoming her baby into her hands. Oh my I was as much in shock as I was in awe.
Since this day I encourage my clients to wear something that makes them feel special on the day of their birth. For some this might be a favourite T-Shirt. For others it might be something beautiful or special.
Whatever you choose it’s more about the conscious choice and intention.
Hopefully there’s a time in labour you remember this birthing goddess's story.
