Stand up for yourself and "Take back your birth"

Hundreds of thousands of women made their voices heard in the historic marches in late January. First, there was the March for Life / March for Proliferation in Washington, DC, where men, women and children marched in solidarity for the unborn. At the Women’s March, the people stood for equality and respect.

What do these marches have in common? It is about standing up for ourselves, speaking for those who cannot speak, for the weak and vulnerable. It is talking about injustice and injustice and drawing attention to the issues that matter most to women.

And what are the issues that matter most to women? Ask any woman and she will tell you what is important in her life: things like job and career opportunities, respect, affordable child care, equality, health coverage, anything that improves your life and protects your right to life, liberty, and the search. of happiness.

In the work I do with marriage and childbirth, it is crucial to speak for yourself. Express your needs and wants. Ask, expect and demand the respect and dignity you deserve just for being a human being. Our culture does not hold women on pedestals. We marginalize certain members of society.

Nowhere is condescension from women more common than in the hospital delivery room. Thousands of women across the country will end up with a disappointing birth experience in which the expectant mother will feel as though she has no voice at one of the most important events of her life, the birth of her baby.

Take back your birth by taking charge: take charge of your birth. SAY NO to excessive use of technology; SAY NO to a practice that tells you that you should have routine ultrasounds, that you must be induced, and that you need a C-section. Where is the outrage? I want to inspire women to quietly plan their birthing experience and assert themselves throughout their pregnancy and the delivery of their baby.

Keep in mind that your goals and the goals of the medical establishment are usually two different things. Medical professionals want to do their job to the best of their ability, avoiding lawsuits. Do not withhold your power from another person; instead, approach your birth experience according to your inner desires, knowledge, and intuition. Be careful not to let other people’s opinions sway you. You are not likely to have a high level of satisfaction if the professionals, the people who do not know you, tell you what to do.

Defending yourself is important because you are your best advocate in a world where there are many conflicting and confusing opinions. Giving birth should be something that we neither fear nor abdicate to another person; it is an event in which we can feel inspired, encouraged and grateful.