Healing Birth Stories November 2, 2009
My mother-in law was here for the weekend and it was amazing to hear
her talk about her birth stories. Although her “babies” are all over
40, her memories are strong. She is still powerfully connected to the
joy and the fear she experienced.
My first birth was an emergency surgical birth. When I was pregnant
with my second my wise doula asked if I had done any work on my birth
trauma. I promptly burst into tears. It had been 16 years, I had
never spoken to anyone of my feelings about my birth. I had never
spoken with my mother, who had been my coach. I never went back for a
postpartum appointment. (Remember- I was a seasoned psychologist and
yet had no sense that this might be a problem.)
So I entered the world of birth trauma. First for myself. I worked
through birth trauma with the intention of preparing for my V-BAC
(vaginal birth after cesarean). But anytime you are walking around
with unresolved trauma, I think it costs something. I think it
weakens you. I know I could not be of much help to the women in my
life who were birthing, whether clients or friends.
And for years I said, “someone needs to offer birth trauma work” until
someone said maybe it needed to be me. So two years ago I partnered
with an old friend and college Sarina LaMarche who also had suffered
her own birth loss and we created this workshop- “Healing Birth
Stories.”
This two hour workshop is a joy to offer and I am honored to share
this work with the women who attend. No one comes easily- it is scary
and intimidating and women worry if they should be there. They worry
about sharing with strangers but I can tell you this… we have had
rave reviews. We have offered it a number of times and each woman’s
stories has impacted me deeply and it is an honor to offer this
workshop to our community.
Let us know if you want to join us Sunday or want to be alerted of the
next time we offer it.
Maureen