birth rEVOLution

My sister Doula sent me a text wishing me a "Happy International Doula Month" and I nearly dropped my phone! I have NOTHING planned to celebrate! I texted back "HOLY S*%@!!!"

Thank goodness for other Birth Visionaries on the planet because there is a birth rEVOLution sparking and we can join here in Fernie! May 5th 2013 is International Day of the Midwife. Remarkably May 5th is also the ACOG's (American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists) 61st Annual Clinical Meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana where hundreds of amazing birth visionaries will be gathering to ask ACOG some hard questions and fuel the birth rEVOLution we've been feeling rise...

Questions like:
Why is the Maternal Mortality of the United States among the highest in the industrialized world? 
Why are women dieing in childbirth at such an alarming rate in the USA?
What is ACOG doing to prevent maternal death in the USA...?

The beauty of an International Day...we don't have to go to Louisiana to be a part of it! We don't have to come face to face with the makers of the barriers to well woman care...but we can show our support and embrace The Day of the Midwife while doing so!

As you well know from the history of this blog we do not have midwifery care in Fernie. We can celebrate our love of midwives and show the international birth community that Fernie wants midwifery care!! Will you JOIN me?

The organizers over at birth rEVOLution are inspiring communities around the world to gather, wear teal, and spread the birth rEVOLution message all over our social media connections!  Using the hashtag #birthrEVOLution to bring us all together!

In Fernie our message is "birthrEVOLution Fernie~ We need Midwifery Care!" Be a part of a photo session to get this message out there on International Day of the Midwife Sunday May 5th 2013! Gather with me at the rotary park gazebo at 1:00 PM where we'll be taking part in the international birth rEVOLution. Make a sign that shares your desire! Bring your family, friends community members...anyone you can think of that wants to see Fernie have access to midwifery care and then....share share share!!! Don't forget to wear TEAL 

Let's start off International Doula month with a rEVOLution...a birth rEVOLution!

World Doula Week

Greetings!
What an amazing few months I have had! I have had highs and lows, fast and slows, intense and relaxed experiences that have all lead me to a feeling of balance. There is something to be said for feeling balanced...it has been a LONG time coming. I don't quite expect to stay in this beautiful place, but you know  I'm going to honour and embrace it while it's here!  It's much like the Spring Equinox...the day and night are equal. A perfect balance of light and dark...that is how I feel today.

I haven't connected with this blog and my voice in quite sometime so in celebration of World Doula Week...I write!

I discovered it was World Doula Week by accident. I was scrolling through my Facebook news feed and BOOM! There was the icon! At first I was really excited, but then a hint disappointment surfaced...I haven't planned  a thing to celebrate?! That just ain't right!

Right away I connected to the World Doula Week website and realized I could host a FREE screening of 'Doula: The Ultimate Birth Companion' because of a partnership of One World Birth and World Doula Week. Y'all know I jumped on that opportunity...here's hoping I can make it happen.

That's how I roll...I like producing events that support my work and raise awareness. Recently I partnered up with my good friend and local Fernie BC doula Rachel Cline to organize an event in celebration of International Women's Day. Goddess Rising ~ A Day of Sisterhood! We planned, coordinated, marketed and produced a really unique day of empowerment workshops, drum circles, belly dancing, goddess yoga, mother daughter circles, and a screening of the film "The Moon Inside You" Over 75 women attended and celebrated their feminine shine!

It got REALLY interesting when I woke up in the middle of the night on February 5th with a strong urge to do MORE. To connect further and wider than my local community of women. I sat up in bed with anxiety. I was anxious because I felt isolated. I felt very alone when it came to my belief about birth, my deep rooted need to see change, and mostly I felt isolated from women of colour.  It was a shocking realization...the absolute need to connect with birth workers of colour.

My stars were aligned that night, because in an instant I realized what I needed to do. I was going to create a virtual event for birth workers of colour in celebration of Black History Month! I jumped out of bed and got to work! It was February 5th, 2013. I scheduled the event for the full moon...February 25th 2013. In 20 days I coordinated and produced my first online event and it satisfied the connection I was craving! In 20 days I found my tribe...and I have been thinking about all of you ever since!

There were so many precious insights shared by all the presenters at Birth Herstory 2013. I thought that I would connect strongest with many of the insights related to 'birth.' What's interesting is that the words that resonated with me strongest came from the mighty Shafia Monroe of the International Center for Traditional Childbearing and she said quite simply "It's normal to have your children with you."

My voice spreads a message with a strong emphasis on birth, and the birth experience.  This is World Doula Week, I'm a doula, I witness birth, I love birth, I wanted to connect with women pf colour who share this journey. When I listen to Birth Herstory what I hear is a community of "Mothers."  That is what birth makes us! So it's no wonder why Shafia's simple statement made me feel so connected and proud.  I LOVE having my children with me! Yet the general vibe I get from others is..."cut the cord already, let 'em go" There's no shame in being with my children as much as possible...Thank You Shafia for reminding me...it's normal.

Happy World Doula Week...may we support the birth of MOTHERS with pride!

Shine on!

Birth Herstory~Uniting Women of Colour in Celebration of Black History Month

Birth Herstory is a FREE online annual conference uniting women of colour in celebration of Black History Month. Join us on the Full Moon Monday February 25th, 2013 and be inspired to grow and learn from one another in the area of pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and motherhood!

13 amazing women have committed to sharing their expertise in a wide range of subjects all centered around mothering the beautiful woman of colour! Hear speakers such as Shafia Monroe, Nicole Deggins, Darline Turner. Kimberly Seals Allers and Latham Thomas share their best secrets to empower you to create the journey to motherhodd of your dreams!

If you want to feel inspired, get information your care provider may not provide, feel like you are understood, and be part of this amazing community...then sister you've GOT to join us!

Birth As A Human Right Film Fuels Action

Last week I screened the birth documentary 'Freedom For Birth' at the Arts Station in Fernie, BC. 16 of us gathered and were inspired by the films dedication to the fact that birth is a human right. Every woman has the right to give birth wherever and with whomever she chooses. In response to the amazing conversations and ideas that formed after the film, I created a Facebook Page called Freedom For Birth Fernie. This is a page dedicated to local mothers who want a place to share their experiences, voice their concerns, and take action steps towards change. One of the most common concerns among the attendees of the film was the lack of a fully operational hospital here in Fernie. Women made it very clear that they don't want to leave their community to give birth. I have been troubled by the weekend closures of the Operating Room that results in low risk mothers being transferred 120K to Cranbrook, BC. Last year I asked a physician who to contact about this issue, and I was given the contacts that could respond to my questions. After hearing women in my community agree that they too are unhappy with the OR closures I posted a Note on my Facebook page with the names and contact information of the individuals that need to hear these concerns. This is how grassroots movements grow...with our voices. Voices united in one cause; last week it was evident that this cause is Freedom For Birth. If you agree with the idea that women should be able to stay in their community to give birth, than I encourage you to check out Freedom For Birth Fernie on Facebook and consider writing a letter to those who can meet our demands! The time is now...
 

Freedom For Birth in Fernie

One World Birth in collaboration with Womb To Grow Birth Services presents FREEDOM FOR BIRTH! This Thursday January 10th is the first New Moon Movie Night of the year and I'm kicking off this celebration with a bang! 

FREEDOM FOR BIRTH has been the it birth documentary in 2012 because it's more than a film...it's a movement. If  you're familiar with the recent influx in production of birth documentaries you may be thinking 'another one?' But let me assure you, this film looks at birth in a whole new way. We know birth is safe, we know birth is empowering, we know women have choices...but did you know BIRTH IS A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT? FREEDOM FOR BIRTH presents women with the idea that choosing where, with whom and how you birth is your right which provides you laws that protect those rights. This is a political film designed to inspire women to stand up, take back, and demand our rights! Below is the 15 minute web version of the film...if you like what you see, join us on Thursday January 10th at The Fernie Arts Station to see the entire film. Will you take back birth in 2013? The revolution starts here!

Joyous Kwanzaa, Joyous Birth. FAITH

source: Eternal Echoes

Whenever you become empowered you will be tested. ~ Carolyn Myss

It is so fitting to finish a week of celebrating Birth and the principles of Kwanzaa with today's theme...IMANI. FAITH ~ To believe with all our hearts in our people, our elders, our teachers, our leaders and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.
I know from personal experience that as a birth worker my faith has been compromised along my journey. What has it taken to regain my inspiration? A deep rooted belief that my efforts, to restore a community of birth workers that is centered around the idea that birth is normal and safe, are worthy. In the principle I acknowledge "Our People" to be anyone who believes in undisturbed, primal birth. I like that the principle separates and highlights the importance of our elders, the wise women before us who held birth sacred. They are our teachers, and our leaders.  At the same time it is up to a new generation of childbirth advocates to take on the role of birth keepers.  We need to learn the art of traditional midwifery, so we can pass these skills on so that they may NEVER become extinct. What do you think is going to happen when the likes of Ina May Gaskin, Robin Lim, Gloria Lemay, Carla Hartley, Robbie Davis Floyd, Sheila Ktizinger, Shafia Monroe, Angnes Gereb and all the other great women who defend the honour of birth are gone? Who will fill their shoes? One thing I know is that the wise women mentioned above are filled with faith.  They believe with all their hearts in us...the future birth keepers. I know one thing...this "righteousness and victory" ain't gonna crumble on my watch. un uh! Yet why are we faced with the struggle? I think part of this reason, is that we're on the front lines. Sacred Birth Keepers across the globe see warrior women of all kind prepare for battle for the simple right to have their baby with no restrictions, no interventions, no guidelines, no routine procedures...talk about struggle. A woman planning a natural childbirth in a hospital at this time in our nations, must come equipped with a mighty voice, and she must be prepared to use it. Then you have the birth workers trying to support and advocate for her burning out at the sight of every surgical birth we witness. So ya...sometimes we feel out numbered, dismissed, and misunderstood, and quite frankly it feels like a struggle.  Sisters! It's time to rise up! No more pity parties, no more hate, only LOVE. LOVE & FAITH. Today on new years day we get to write a new book, A book of birth faith and we've got 365 blank pages to fill so start prayin'! Set intentions, find only gratitude in your struggle~ for each birth prepares and teaches you for the next.  Have faith in this work, in our history, and our future and we will make change! We are empowered, we are righteous we are victorious. So Have A Little Faith...

Joyous Kwanzaa, Joyous Birth. CREATIVITY

My creative energy is flowing with excitement about today's principle. I can't believe it's already the sixth day of Kwanzaa. The days have been passing swiftly. On the second to last day of Kwanzaa we celebrate KUUMBA. CREATIVITY ~ To do as much as we can, in whatever way we can, to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than it was when we inherited it. I am always so inspired by the creative forces that exude from the birth community. Just go on Pinterest and search, Birth, Blessingway, Birth Photography, Birth Positions, Birth Art...or anything birth related really, and you'll see so many creative ways in which we are celebrating the birth community. Recently I encapsulated a client's placenta and before I got started I made some prints of the beautiful organ. I just couldn't stop staring at the beautiful prints! It was like, somehow I had captured the very spirit of her, the placenta, our first mother. To me that is what creative energy does, it embodies the spirit of an idea, movement, or the physical and impacts society at some level. One of the most exciting ways we have embraced our creative outlets in the birth community is film. There have been dozens of natural childbirth promoting documentaries released in the last decade. What an amazing way to bring this community center stage. There is also Birth a play by Karen Brody. In 2010 I produced, directed and performed in this play, and I was really excited and proud when Karen asked me if her organization BOLD could use a photograph from the Fernie production as the front cover of the second edition of the play! Writers are by far my favourite artists, and within the birth community there are so many marvelous pieces of literature that creatively educate women about birth. What are some of your favourite films, and literature that inspire a creative birth community?, leave a comment below to share your ideas. I like thinking about the part of the principle that says "to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than it was when we inherited it" the idea that this birth community has been passed on to us and that we are responsible to pass it to our daughters makes me happy. It inspires me to think of creative ways to keep birth sacred, to make sure the women of the future know that birth is beautiful and that we intend to keep it that way.
Blessings to you and yours this New Years Eve...