My very first email this morning was from a current client who is preparing for her home VBAC (vagina birth after cesarean) or HBAC (home birth after cesarean). She wanted to share her first ICAN (International Cesarean Awareness Network) experience after attending last night’s local chapter meeting. Her email was full of hope, something many women struggle to find after a cesarean delivery, as she learns how to trust her body.
She was able to ask all of her questions and had the wonderful opportunity of hearing a recent VBAC triumph from one of our other home birth mamas. I love the image of one mama sharing her story, passing the baton and supporting the next. This is how we change our world, one birth at a time!
Here’s an excerpt from her email (share with permission) “I feel as though I walked away with some good ideas on how to deal with my own fears, comfort in knowing I’m doing all I can, and I feel more educated on different options I may have it the baby would flip/settle breech, etc. I’m still hoping for my perfect homebirth, but I’m trying to be open to expanding my idea of a successfull, happy birthing experience in the case that it may be needed. I hope that if I find peace with other options that my fears will subside and give me a better chance of the birth I want for my baby.”
I am so thankful for ICAN, especially our local chapter and its’ leadership. And, so proud of these brave mamas!
Trust. Hope. Education. Community. Thank you ICAN!
It was a great meeting. And after having my HBAC, I recognize just how important the knowledge that comes from all that sharing really is. We need support in overcoming our fears to have the birth that we want to have. I am so glad she came last night and encourage those remotely interested in attending. The meetings really get you to think and feel, probably more than you would expect.
I agree totally with your statement ‘This is how we change our world, one birth at a time!’ The world is changing, however slowly and differences are being every day.
Last year I successfully had a home birth after 3 c-sections (birth story will appear on my blog sometime in the near future) and during my pregnancy I met many people who struggled to have THEIR birth Their way. I feel most fortunate and completely empowered to birth my way finally and I am hoping to train as a doula when my youngest is older, to help other women do the same.
It is a sad fact that we women have to fight so hard just to achieve something so normal and natural but I live in hope that it won’t always be like that.