A Whole Approach

Submitted by karens on March 3, 2004 - 3:55pm
Body: 

I looked back and I see that it has been just about a month since I started "coming here". I find help here everyday and I am grateful. I feel good and my prolapse is stable. I would like to make two comments at this point.
It has taken me a few weeks to get my footing and lift my head (both posturally and spiritually)enough to start to get a whole view about this situation in my life. I still have a long way to go. But, I would encourage everyone to read everything here and look at the whole picture, not just one part. I have come from thinking I just needed to do more Kegels to understanding a little better what my whole life needs to look like to improve this situation.(Hence the name of C's book!) I didn't think or know it was all connected but I believe it is and every piece helps so much. The whole is definately greater than the sum of the parts! I found information in the links on the home page the other day that is great stuff that I didn't even know was there. I also reread in Christine's book regularly and find something fresh every time.
The other thing I want to say is that I believe we need a way to change the minds of our daughters. I was not prepared to birth my children in a way that would be best for them and preserve my body for the long life I desire to have. I wanted to feel no pain and get it over with quickly. I hear my own children and others saying they just want to have a C-section and not go through the birth process. My sweet niece birthed her first child last week and told her mother it was horrible. With a labor prolonged to 40 hours by drugs and episiotomy to the max, I'm sure it was. What can we say and do to prepare women better to handle this natural process so they and their children can be strong and healthy?? I saw that Christine has listed some books about childbirth and I will read those. So much change is needed!
Peace,
Karen

Christine

March 3, 2004 - 3:58pm

If I could add anything to such a beautiful message I would...

COACH2211

March 3, 2004 - 5:34am

omy, Karens, we certainly think the same. I didn't want to admit actually that I have taken this 'Whole Woman' thing to the max and even began work on my sorry fingernails this week. How to wait so long & be jolted into realizing that I must cherish this ole self once again & care for it in the way it so deserves. And in so doing, I'm on another level of thinking about my womb that birthed 4 beautiful babies (all over 30 now):7 I focus on it (how silly I thought in the beginning) & think on its position & on keeping right in there where it belongs. what a journey ... KB

Christine

March 5, 2004 - 2:37pm

Hi KB,

Please know how much I support you in your WW commitment...even though the tidy fingernails are pretty radical! (HA!)

I can't express how it warms my heart to hear women respond to the work. It's like a body-knowledge that is deeper than the rational mind. As Karen says, there is so much yet to do to turn the tide.

Gratefully,

Christine

tracey34

April 13, 2004 - 9:46am

Dear Karen

I have left you a message under my first posting 'Sporty and Depressed' about your Mayan womb massage question.

Here I would like to raise comment on your point of how we change the minds of our daughters about modern birthing choices. There are too many choices. Some people might say if I had a ceserean birth for my last child I would not be in this state. Well I wouldn't have done it any other way than I did regardless of what others think about mechanical birth.

My first birth was mid cavity forceps delivery with episiotomy and epidural.
I had no or very little moral support and had no ante-natal preparation.

My second birth was induced in hospital after waiting 3 weeks for a home birth and I had a normal vaginal delivery after a 24 hour labour but had gas and air in the last 3 hours and a drug to strengthen contractions at the end. I was MADE to push her out.
I had a lot of support which helped me to refrain from using drugs even though it was continually offered to me.

My third birth was completely intervention free with absolutely no pain relief and was at home. I had a birthing pool, knew my options and choices and took complete responsibility for the safe passage of my child into the world.
I had a lot of support and A MOST EXCELLENT MIDWIFE with 30 years experience whom I HIRED.

You see the difference here the last time? Information, support, knowledge, experience and a willingness to take responsibility. Most important of all I had faith. These were the factors that led me to the final (perfect) natural birth.

All three births were hard but the last one has left me with the best feeling in the whole world, even if it was the turning point for my pelvic floor and NOTHING can ever take that experience away from me. I really did feel like a whole woman. I DID IT.

How can you explain that to your daughters - how will I explain it to mine. I don't know - but if I can help them gain information, support, knowledge, a sense of responsibility and faith in themselves as women through my experiences then it is everything that I can do. The rest will be up to them.

Tracey x