My Introduction to Natural Birth

Before I was married, at the age of 23 I took a class offered by a midwife still in training. The class was offered through the church. (I grew up in a conservative christian religion that encouraged abstinence before marriage) so the majority of the single women in the room weren’t planning on having children until they were married.

So what were we doing there? I wondered that as I entered the room, but upon exiting I realized that the midwife and teacher was planting a seed. She had inspired me, and she gave me exposure to the most magnificent-miraculous experience of natural birth.

The words she spoke resonated with me.

I will never forget that night and the lessons that I learned—lessons that have continued to germinate through my life-long process of embodying the natural feminine.

I personally have had three unmedicated births, each experience different then the other.

This blog post will dip into the why I chose natural birth, and the beautiful gift that may be offered if you are considering this path. For more learning, there are resources linked below.

Embarking into an unknown birth story takes faith. In this video I share thoughts around how I cultivated my desire to have a natural birth.

Resources From the Video

In the class that I took at the age of 23, the midwife showed parts of the video:

The Business of Being Born

It is available to watch on Gaia TV.

Ina May Gaskin writes about many women who have a orgasmic fulfillment during the birthing process. You can read more about this in her book:

Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth

I have recorded my first birth story in this blog post:

My Birth Trauma Story, A Decade Later

The Gift of Intimacy

In the last week I’ve shared my story about using a birthing center online. A birthing center, is a middle ground between a home birth and hospital birth.

(I’ve shared my experience here on this blog post.)

At the birthing center I was able to have a birth that involved my husband completely and intimately.

I was able to tap into the most powerful feminine features and attributes available to a women. Attributes like allowing fluidity, enduring the discomfort with humor, and surrender.

After we allowed Mae to come naturally, in every way. As we shared the story with neighbors and friends, I observed their responses. Some were freaked out. The concept of natural birth was so foreign to them. Others were open enough to feel our welcoming joy. While others would literally zone out–with blank looks on their faces. Their concept of intimacy wasn’t developed enough to comprehend what I was speaking about.

Many times women would respond with insecurity, “Well, I just had to have a scheduled c-section”, because they were responding within a narrative that belonged to them.

It’s made me scratch my head and recognize that maybe, possibly, their response was intertwined in how we were culturally taught about intimacy.

The taboo concept of speaking about sexuality in our homes of origin, could that be why many can’t tolerate this concept of intimacy during childbirth?

I’m curious…

what discussions did you have about sex verses intimacy, in your home of origin? How has this translated into your sexual desire and desire for closeness, trust and intimacy in your partnerships as an adult?

If you’re not following my train of thought, watch the YouTube video above for more context!

I would love to hear more of your story. Until then, continue to examine the questions that I am asking and thank you for considering a different perspective!

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Hi, I’m Cami

I’m a writer, a mother, a wife and a private swim instructor.

Through the different roles that I carry in my life, I always consider another’s perspective. What makes another tick? Why do they react in specific ways?

As I write, I invite you to consider your own story. Writing my story has helped me understand my own health challenges.

And, I believe that writing one’s own story is the greatest act of self-understanding, and self love!