lessons in normality

It's the last day of 2007.
Yesterday a few of the November babies I caught came to brunch at my house (yes, the parents were also invited).
A few older babies came too and we munched and sipped mimosa (well, the parents did) and as is apt to happen among new moms, everyone traded birth stories.
These are all women I have worked with who entered into giving birth within the midwifery model of care. Each woman had varying levels of success with this, depending on where she chose to give birth (a few were home, one birthing center, one hospital).
So, after some swapping dramatic tales with happy endings, somebody asks 'does anyone ever have a 'normal' birth?'
I was shocked to hear this asked in my circle of mamas! We are so conditioned to think about birth from the biomedical model that even those who escape its boundaries and have positive, self fulfilled home births, compare their experiences to the parameters of 'normal' established by obstetrics! I exclaimed very quickly that yes! you ALL had normal births! It is not abnormal for a cervix to take a pause in its dilation (even a five hour pause). It is not abnormal to go two weeks over your 'due date'. It is not abnormal for pushing to take a couple of hours. These are things the body does to get a baby out! There is nothing more normal. It is trying to place the body in a box of time management that is abnormal!
Everyone laughed and agreed.
But I had to sigh a little inside. It truly is hard to escape something so deeply engrained. It's like unlearning how to breath.
Happy new year y'all. May you all remember how very, very normal and beautiful you are!

This is like watching a train wreck

Childbirth Ecstasy

I lifted these videos from the unassisted childbirth website.
First of all, the one up top almost looks fake.
Her hair, her makeup, her smile, it's all so 'I Love Lucy'.
Does this woman get off on pain or is she really feeling THAT good?
Either way, I'll take what she is taking, please.
Additionally, are these births taking place in France?
The vaginal birth of twins (in the video below), especially a breach twin, would never be done in an American hospital. I love how quiet all of the assistants are and how they allow the babies to just come out. The mom is so wide open and calm. Totally animal. Totally beautiful. Totally resistant to the technocratic model, and yet in a hospital. Who are these women? Who are these attendants? I want an interview!

Partera