Thankful for Birth Choices

And for those who PROVIDE and SUPPORT them

'Waterborne' by Jane Delaford Taylor. Thanks CB xx

I was reading a post by Chrissie at Me and My Munchkin in which she talks about where she was 12 months ago and how far she has come since then. This got me thinking about how I was feeling 12 months ago and suddenly my Thankful Thursday took a new direction.

This time last year I was pregnant with A. I've written about the journey that the pregnancy took us on in the novel length birth story, I'm not here to repeat it. 12 months ago we were in a scary and confusing space. We realised that we weren't going to receive support from the hospital system and we started to look into homebirth.

When it comes to homebirth there are 3 schools of people

1. Those who get it and who support it
2. Those who don't get it and who are against it
3. Those who are neither here nor there

We were in the second group; we were dead against it, and we thought that anyone who would consider it was crazy. But some encouraging words from a doula led us down the homebirth path, and for that we are eternally grateful. Jacinda's advice resulted in the discovery of a network of amazing independent midwives who work to provide women with the information and support necessary to make the right choices for their pregnancy and birth.

Image Source

On this Thankful Thursday, I would like to express my gratitude to the people out there who fight for birth rights, who fight for mothers (and fathers I guess) and babies. In particular, I'd like to pay homage to the following people and groups who have all contributed to the person I am today; a person with a renewed faith in the human body, a deeper understanding of birth, and a passion for education and support to encourage better birth choices. 

• Jacinda: Fate landed me on your doorstep. You were the soft, soothing voice encouraging me to open my mind, pointing me in the direction of the right resources, and holding my hand as I pushed out a giant baby. I'm so thankful I met you.
• Tara, Hazel and Melanie. Your passion for and knowledge of the true meaning of natural birth was the light that guided our darkened tunnel.
• Emma: The missing piece to our puzzle, words can't describe our gratitude. I feel so privileged to have had you as my caregiver. Because of you, our daughter was safely and peacefully welcomed to the world in the most beautiful way. I'm so thankful that you've remained a part of the public health system, doing what you can to make a difference. The world needs more Emma's. 

• Sydney and Central Coast VBAC Support Group
• Homebirth Access Sydney
• Homebirth Australia

And lastly...

• John Stewart and Candice Talberg at Lateline; although the thumbnail of the interview makes me look... special... I was so pleased with your report on home birth. It was unbiased and without judgement or criticism, unlike so much of the media hype on the topic. It wasn't easy sharing such intimate details with a camera and a stranger, but your genuine interest made me feel comfortable and relaxed. 

I considered writing a blanket thank you to all midwives, whether public, private or independent, and also to obstetricians and GPs, but then I remembered some of the encounters I've had... and I didn't think thanking them all would be honest. Because, if I am honest, some of them were horrible. Like the midwife who ordered me to refrain from feeding J until after her tea break, because she wanted to have her morning tea before she weighed him. Sure lady, I'll let my baby scream with hunger just so YOU get YOUR cuppa. Great idea. Moron.

So that's what I'm thankful for, not only today, but every day.

What are you thankful for?