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6.12.2012

becoming a mama - embracing my birth experience

Welcome to the June 2012 Carnival of Natural Parenting: Embracing Your Birth Experience
This post was written for inclusion in the monthly Carnival of Natural Parenting hosted by Code Name: Mama and Hobo Mama. This month our participants have written about at least one part of their birth experience that they can hold up and cherish.

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I have a few friends that are pregnant right now, and one that just gave birth to her own daughter. I am so excited for them. So thrilled for what's to come. I love pregnancy, babies, all of it (I've even been thinking about doula training!). I love talking to my friends when they are pregnant, and I love hearing about their experiences becoming parents. This has made me think a lot about my own birth experience, which I wrote about before.

It is absolutely amazing to me, what women's bodies are able to do. To grow and nourish a life... and then to deliver it into this world. As far as labors go, especially first ones, I really lucked out with a very quick and straight-forward one. My water broke just before 1am, and Gwen arrived just before 1pm after about 1.5 hours of pushing. It might not have felt very quick in the throes of it, but it was easy to look back and see that my body was doing what it needed to do. It may not have felt easy, but I was able to cope with the pain and deliver at the birth center the way I had hoped. (Thank goodness for Trav who was an amazing partner, there with me every step of the way.)

I went in wanting a "natural" birth experience (unmedicated is a better term!) and even though I ended up with a shot of Stadol, I was really proud of myself and the labor/birth that I had. Immediately afterwards I could look at it and feel strong! My body did that! Even now, looking back at my birth experience is a proud, happy thing for me.

Everyone's birth experience is different, though I hope that everyone can find something to love in theirs... if only that it was what was needed to bring their child into the world. I'm so blessed that mine was such an amazing, empowering experience.


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Carnival of Natural Parenting -- Hobo Mama and Code Name: MamaVisit Code Name: Mama and Hobo Mama to find out how you can participate in the next Carnival of Natural Parenting!
Please take time to read the submissions by the other carnival participants:
(This list will be live and updated by afternoon June 12 with all the carnival links.)

9 comments:

  1. I had a half dose of Stadol with Kieran, against my better judgment (I should have known that it wouldn't do anything anyway, but my midwife was telling me that we needed to do "something" to move labor along or I would be transferred). Regardless, I'm still very proud of my birth experience - and I'm glad you are, too!

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  2. Birth isn't much fun at the time, but the memory of it is really something, huh? You can look back at the moment your child entered into the world, and it's always special. Extra bonus points if you felt in control and it went smoothly!

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  3. Giving birth really does feel like such an accomplishment! If you can embrace your birth experience, it's really a great way to start out mothering with confidence.

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  4. "My body did that!" Really, that is what birth is all about. Does not matter if it is natural, medicated, or something in between. The fact of the matter is that the female body is freaking amazing! You proved that mama! Thanks for sharing!

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  5. Birth is completely amazing, isn't it?! So glad that you have been able to embrace yours.

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  6. "I hope that everyone can find something to love in theirs... if only that it was what was needed to bring their child into the world." Well said. Great perspective.

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  7. I loved reading that your childbirth experience was amazing and empowering ... just as it should be with such an amazing process and result! :) Deb @ LivingMontessoriNow.com

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  8. That sounds like a wonderful first birth! I'm glad it all went so smoothly for you, and that you can pass on that enthusiasm and experience to other women.

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  9. I love how you express your awe for the miracle of life, I feel the same, and more and more every day now that I am getting towards the end of my pregnancy and will be giving birth next month. Hope it will be as positive an event as yours!

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