"Many women have described their experiences of childbirth as being associated with a spiritual uplifting, the power of which they have never previously been aware...To such a woman childbirth is a monument of joy within her memory. She turns to it in thought to seek again an ecstasy which passed too soon."

Grantly Dick-Read

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

The wonder of natural childbirth

Cjane posted this today on her blog:

3. Would you do another non-medicated birth? And if so, WHY???

Here is the deal about that whole deal.

Now that I look back on Ever's birth I see things a little more clearly.

The pain? Hmm. Yes it hurt. It was pounding and brutal. Then there was the part when I felt my body split in two . . .

But.

But it wasn't the physical pain that astounded me about that experience. For me, the pain? Meh. It was shortly lived and gone the second the baby left the (fleshy) building.

But.

The pain coupled with the metaphysical?

Holy.

It was the stretching of my spirit that really shook my core. The psychological impact that comes from going to a place where earth meets heaven and tiptoeing along that blurry line of life and death. It was the part where I felt the weight of something so huge, so much bigger and more fantastic than anything I could have ever imagined. It was closing my eyes and seeing a checkerboard sphere rolling around like I was viewing pure energy at a molecular level. It was completely psychedelic and strange and completely awe-some.

And when I think the physical feeling of my body splitting open I also think my spirit was doing the same. In that process, my spirit made more of 
me to be able to contain all of that experience. Like a hand inside a latex glove, I was filled with humanity, expanding, extending, magnifying. I was more. And I will never get over the residual memories--they still astound me.

Are you kidding me?

I can't wait to do it again.



I LOVED her description of natural childbirth. It is exactly how I feel about my experience. It was so completely overwhelming and intense, yet I honestly cannot wait to do it again. The feeling of being "more" than you thought you ever were was astounding. I, of course, cannot put it into such beautiful words, like Cjane does, but I completely echo her sentiments. It is something so incredible, something so much more rewarding than I can even explain. 

8 comments:

  1. i am so excited to experience this! all births are beautiful and amazing, yet it seems that the natural ones are a different kind of beautiful. i'm looking forward to it so much :)

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  2. Ok, I've honestly been a lurker for a couple of months now... and I know it's weird for me to love this blog because I'm only 16... but I confess. I LOVE the topic of birth! I love reading birth stories, and hearing about women and their experiences with birth. It makes me so happy and excited to hear about it, read about it, etc. and what I absolutely love about this blog is that it's pro-natural birth (which is my opinion completely)! I was so proud of you when I heard you did a home birth with Maude, and it really inspired me.
    I've made the desicion since I was barely 15 (only a year ago, but still) that when the time came that I would birth naturally with all of my future children. Im excited, and I can't wait until my time comes to bring children in to this world, and this blog makes me so happy! Like you said in your post about home birth, negative response is discouraging and (as a [young] woman) makes you question yourself, your strength, your endurance, and your worth. I've confided in my mother sometimes that I plan on birthing naturally, using cloth diapers, etc., and (she isn't in any way an unsupportive mother) she's told me that when the time comes, I will change my mind.
    I don't plan on changing my mind, I only plan on becoming more deeply rooted in my desicions. I plan on bringing my children into the world the way God designed it to be, and I don't want to miss out on ANY part of the miracle that birth is. And THAT, Sister Larsen, is why I love your blog. :)
    That is all.
    Have a lovely day,
    Jadyn

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  3. I LOVED this decription as well. She gave wonderful words to the amazing experience.

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  4. I loved it as well. I wish I was that good with words. :)

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  5. I love your site! Finally I found someone else who is as crazy about natural pregnancy/childbirth as I am! here's my story about my latest baby on my blog. http://www.cleanessentials.net/564/welcome-baby-noah/#comments

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  7. Hi there!
    I commented on here at the start of the year I think... before #2 arrived.
    She came safely, AND naturally in hospital (born 22 Feb) but it was totally different from #1's natural birth. I am so glad that I got through it without any drugs and kept calm (mostly!) and let my body tell me what to do. I also had a good midwife.
    I've just started my own blog about two of my favourite things. Being a SAHM (and all the issues and dealings of being one!)and fashion.
    Hope you'll take a peek.
    :)

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  8. Elisa, thank you! I am excited to read your story!

    Jac, yay!! Congratulations! That is wonderful. Isn't it crazy how different each birth is? I found the same thing from my experiences. What is your blog address?

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