Birth Stories

Over the last few months, I've read with interest several women's birth stories.  Many of them came from Design Mom, who had her 6th child in May.  Readers sent in their birth stories, and one was posted each day.  As someone who has never given birth, I read all of them with great interest, noting that each story was unique but so linked with the others because they all brought forth a baby one way or another.  Some involved epidurals; some were natural; one was about adoption; one was a water birth.  Some women were vocal, some were not. Some women lost their tempers, which I found extremely refreshing to hear.  I mean, like someone said on an episode of 'Friends." "Have you ever pushed a pot roast out your nostril??!!"

My brother-in-law posted on his family's blog my sister's opinion and experience on being vocal during her births.  She finds that it takes too much energy for her. They are expecting their third child and first son in July. :)  Other friends of mine have found it so helpful and energizing--they've called out instructions to those assisting her during labor, prayed out loud, called on the Lord during a painful contraction, etc. (Side note: when I heard one of my friends say that she called out, "Oh Goooooodddd!!!!" in a loud prayer, it made me think of Jesus on the cross calling out to His Father.) My other sister had two C-sections and endured painful recoveries.

I think all women who have given birth would agree that it really is to each her own. What works for one is fine for her, but another woman can be completely different.    Again, as someone who has not given birth, I see the need for realizing that one size does not fit all.  I find neither being vocal or being silent during a birth more heroic than the other. Getting an epidural when needed does not make a mother any less strong. 

Each story is beautiful, painful, sacrificial, monumental---it's a love story.