I attended a meeting last night in Dublin, the title was 'Having a Baby in the 21st Century'. This was held by the medical profession, and was hosted by Miriam O Callaghan. As the meeting progressed, I became more and more appaled, and deeply saddened by the level of intervention offered to women, as a normal part of her experience in a hospital situation while giving birth. Maybe the terminology, of having her baby extracted from her would be more appropriate.
I also felt so insulted, as a woman, listening to the speakers. There seemed to be such an incredible lack of respect for women, for choices they may opt for, and for the intuitive wisdom that each of us women have deep within us. We are taught not to trust our intuition or our bodies, and it also seemed clear that our birth experiences could depend upon our social connection with other women, at some level in our lives.
I feel so fortunate to have had 4 exquisite births, at home, in water with a wonderful supportive husband and extended family and friends. They weren't all present while I was giving birth mind you! I would safely say that giving birth as I did has been the highlight of my life, that nothing could come close to that experience in terms of power, intuition, ecstacy, intimacy, connectedness, aloneness, love, rerspect and sheer bliss. It was a rite of passage, and sadly a right that is denied to so many women. We have done this for millions of years, succesfully, and without interference, why can't we continue to have this choice?
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