With the birth of a baby comes the birth of the mother… equally as powerful, equally as sacred.

Photo by Paige Driscoll

“Birth is a rite of passage for [pregnant people]. Their journey should be honored. Their rights should be fiercely protected. And their stories should be shared.”

— Marcie Macari

Birth Reflections

“My labors were quick, no time to think, just breathe. I remember feeling both surprised and awestruck at how my body took over and knew exactly what to do. When I look back now at my birth and the years following, they are so dear…living “moment to moment” as each new day began watching my children grow and unaware I was growing right alongside them. The feeling that has stayed is the wonder of giving and receiving life at the exact same moment and the abiding unconditional love and protection I feel for my children, along with the privilege of knowing I am part of the earthly community of women who have done this since time began.”

— Bridget B. (age 67)

“After a 2 hour labor, while unwittingly but quite naturally locking eyes with your newly-3-year-old brother, i suddenly made (yodeled?!) throat sounds i had not known I was capable of, and felt the tremendous, uncontrollable maternal-fetal ejection reflex of my womb releasing you! how an open throat can open a pelvis with the power of voice! instinctively, i reached down, and feeling you there, hovering between worlds at the divine portal, spontaneously screamed “ooooooopennnnnn!” and i did. all of you emerged at once as i reached down for the tender new life floating underwater. lifting you up, what i remember most is just laughing in pure ecstasy as i gazed upon this perfect being before me and said the words. i have a daughter. i have a daughter!

— Fiume U. (age 35)

“There was a moment right before my son was born when I knew, ““this is it”.” I summoned all my courage and did something I never thought I’d be able to do. As the mother of a newborn and now spirited toddler, there have been many similar moments where I have felt called upon to do more than I ever thought possible. Becoming a mother has been the truest testament to my own inner strength and shown me sides of myself I didn’t know existed. Just as I pushed out my son, he has in turn pushed me in all directions; stretching and bending me to become what he needs at any given moment. We are each others catalyst for growth. The empowerment, love, and joy that comes with motherhood has been beyond compare.”

— Ali B. (age 33)

Historically, a Blessingway is a native Navajo ceremony celebrating a birthing person’s rite of passage into parenthood. The westernized version has been called a ‘Mother Blessing’ which involves a gathering of dearest friends and family who sit in the power of a circle and share ancient wisdom, birth stories, and well-wishes for the new parent. A Mother Blessing helps prepare a pregnant person for their birth; emotionally, spiritually and mentally.

“In giving birth to our babies, we may find that we give birth to new possibilities within ourselves.”

— Myla & Jon Kabat-Zinn

“When we as a society begin to value [pregnant people] as the givers and supporters of life, then we will see social change in ways that matter.”

— Ina May Gaskin

It has been shown that pregnant people who labor in water tend to feel more at ease, require less pain medication, and report a deeper satisfaction after delivery. Some choose to solely labor in the tub, while others choose to deliver their baby in the water. In theory because the baby has been in the amniotic fluid sac for nine months, birthing in a similar environment is a gentler transition for the baby and can be less stressful for the birthing person as well.

*Photo by Matthew Usnick*

“[Parents] are a school. Empower [them]; and you empower a great nation.”

— Hafez Ibrahim

Delayed cord clamping decreases the risk of anemia, aids in higher birth weight, and increases iron reserves for up to six months (a vital component for brain development). The World Health Organization recommends delayed cord clamping for one to three minutes, while midwives advise waiting until the cord stops pumping blood.