Birth Journeys | Interest
Birth Journeys
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24.01.2022 Here’s to strong women. May we be them. May we know them. May we raise them. Happy International Womens’ Day
21.01.2022 Yes! This is talked about a lot in Birth Journeys. It is one of the key themes woven through the birth stories in the collection. When I decided to create the book there was a very strong cultural voice in Australia that ‘healthy baby, healthy mother’ (in terms of physical health) was ALL that mattered. That it was selfish and dangerous to desire or need anything more. I was gently but firmly fighting against this. The more birth stories I heard and read as I spoke to people... and asked for their stories, the more it became apparent to me that this line was being used to keep birthing mothers quiet, in their place, and shame them if they wanted to shout from the roof tops that birth belongs to them or that their feelings and their health matter too. Of course physical health is first but mental health is equally important and should be viewed as part of that healthy baby, healthy mother priority. A traumatised person is not well set up for the transition to being a parent. It is not and should not be allowed to become an either/or situation. Trusting relationship with respectful and knowledgeable professionals and careers is key to ensuring that doesn’t happen.
12.01.2022 As I shared in Birth Journeys, I have endometriosis, and on top of the pain, surgeries and induced menopause I endured in my 20s, I lived with the fear and the likelihood that I wouldn’t be able to have children - and I desperately wanted to. I was very lucky to be able to have two babies (as well as a miscarriage - common with endometriosis) and I had respite from my symptoms until I stopped breastfeeding. But after that my symptoms returned with a vengeance and now I also h...ave adenomyosis, which is known as a sister to endometriosis. Outside I look healthy. Inside I am not. I do my best to live my life anyway and I have a very supportive family. As a plus, my two sons are quite educated on pregnancy, birth, menstruation and gynaecological illnesses and I hope will one day be very supportive and well informed friends and partners.
11.01.2022 Really interesting
