This weekend I went to visit a close friend of mine who recently had her third baby – a beautiful little boy who is now just over one month old. It was great to sit with her and hear about her birth story, and really listen to what she was saying. The emotions she had, the fear, the opposing confidence she emitted, the gratitude and the calmness. Her story touched me in such a way, that I just wanted to share a little bit with you.
Most of the time when we hear of a baby being breech there are two choices: schedule a cesarean or try to “flip” the baby. Unfortunately, and especially in bigger cities where hospitals see the Labor & Delivery ward as just another piece of the business puzzle, once that baby is to term, if he/she has not rotated to the “proper” birthing position, it’s an automatic cesarean. An automatic trip into surgery. An automatic traumatic birth – for both Mom and baby.
I understand that there are certain situations where a cesarean is required and would save a life, but there is nothing natural about a Mom being cut open, baby being ripped out of the womb, and the immediate bonding between the two being delayed.
I know a lot of Mothers who have had cesareans because their baby was breech. There is no judgement being placed on them. The intent of this post is not to make anyone feel bad or discouraged or lesser than the amazing Mothers they are. I am simply setting the scene for the rare occasion.
Back to my friend… This friend of mine, whom will remain confidential, has always been one of the most loving, caring, calm Mothers I know. Her story doesn’t surprise me one bit! She had been planning for a home birth, with a mid-wife. She knew her baby was breech, but elected not to try to “flip” him. Sometimes baby’s flip on their own, when they are ready, and her decision to not try this supposedly painful attempt (from what I’ve heard, it’s far from pleasant) was based also on him being posterior (that is, not only was he head up, but also backwards).
She had succumbed to the idea of giving birth in the hospital (several reasons of which I won’t go into), and had a plan in place with her OBGYN to do whatever they could for her to have a vaginal birth. Long story short, labor came, progressed quickly, and within a VERY short time after arriving at the hospital she gave birth to a healthy little boy.
Her story inspired me mostly because of the faith she showed. She had to be flexible in her birth plan, she didn’t get the home birth she wanted, and she had to be prepared for worst case. She opened herself up to whatever needed to happen, and despite fear and “going against the grain,” she succeeded. She remained calm and grateful, trusting that her baby would know what to do and that her body would support them both, and trusting the guidance of her support team (the Doctors, the nurses, her husband).
What is amazing about this story, aside from her delivering a breech baby, is that it reminds me to think about all the times I let fear have the best of me. How many times do I not listen to my heart, my body, and instead listen to the voices of fear. It’s like the glass walk I did in Tucson. I heard the fear, I heard the “what if’s” but I didn’t listen to them.
Where in your life are you letting fear get in the way? Where in your life are you not listening to your heart? Where in your life are you scared to step out of the box and show your greatness?
I don’t want you to compare yourself to me or to my friend here. I want you to take a look at YOU! What would your life look like if you DID listen to your heart? Are you willing to try?
As a Mother there is a big responsibility I choose to carry, which is to teach my boys to try new things, to not be afraid, to believe in themselves and listen to their hearts. The best way I can teach them is through my actions. When I lead by example and show them how to be open and trust their hearts, the lesson is so much more powerful. Actions speak louder than words…
My challenge to you is this: Find one area of your life where you are holding back because of fear. One thing that you dream of doing but are too scared to try. One thing that your heart keeps reminding you of. I want you to be open to the possibility. I want you to trust that if it’s in your heart, chances are something is in alignment. Whether or not you decide to take action upon it is your choice, but just to be aware of the possibility is a step forward. Don’t give up on yourself. My heart has never led me in the wrong direction. As long as you are open, trusting and have the right support, anything is possible and your greatness could be just around the corner.
Go be AWESOME!
With Love & Mommy Hugs…