tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7422372995850609269.post3275239067807631338..comments2023-10-30T09:03:39.358-07:00Comments on Che and Fidel: documentary: the face of birthJodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09754100790023579994noreply@blogger.comBlogger66125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7422372995850609269.post-65625630770035145112012-04-02T04:26:47.566-07:002012-04-02T04:26:47.566-07:00Long time reader, i think first time commenter. I&...Long time reader, i think first time commenter. I'm 20 years old, dont have kids (yet!) but I love reading your perspective Jodi its refreshing and makes me feel excited for future possibilities if I'm blessed enough to have my own kids, you're doing a great job xoLauren Clarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00761587397359361270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7422372995850609269.post-38348575840382536122012-03-24T19:25:42.238-07:002012-03-24T19:25:42.238-07:00Hi Jodi, I'm sorry you felt like you had to ch...Hi Jodi, I'm sorry you felt like you had to change your post. I read it the first time around and thought it was wonderful! I have been reading your blog for a while and not once have I ever been given the impression from your writing that you were the type of person to place any sort of judgement or criticism on anyone. <br><br>I think the important thing is that women get to hear stories of all types of births and more importantly, all the options and choices that we do have when giving birth. When I was pregnant with my first baby women were knocking each other over to tell me their horror stories of birth. I found it frightening and didn't understand why women would want to tell another woman how horrific and dangerous and painful and horrendous birth was? It still doesn't make sense to me and since then, when asked, I have always told friends and family having babies what a wonderful experience birth can be, and how lucky we are that medical support is available (when needed). It doesn't matter what sort of birth I had, because the important thing to me is that I did what was right for my baby, myself and my family. I'm now pregnant with our second baby and feel blessed that I once again have supportive people around me and the knowledge to make informed choices about how and where I will give birth. <br><br>Ultimately, if we get to make an informed choice then it doesn't matter what the choice is or the path it takes us on, because it's the right one for us and us alone.<br><br>Please keep sharing your thoughts on birth!! It is so important for women to hear positive thoughts and stories in a birth world that seems dominated by negativity, drama and catastrophe.motherwhohttp://motherwho.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7422372995850609269.post-12534731505633319772012-03-21T03:57:02.464-07:002012-03-21T03:57:02.464-07:00What a wonderful post. I think we have a very simi...What a wonderful post. I think we have a very similar outlook on birth. I did my research and totally agree with your point about private hospitals limiting your options (and the percentage of births with intervention was so high). I actually wrote about one of my births on my blog earlier this month (on the six-month anniversary) - and was proud to share my experience. It was exactly what I was hoping for, natural, amazing, perfect. I didn't achieve that the first time round but even then, because of the birth centre I was at and my amazing midwifes, despite a difficult posterior labour and an epidural, I still managed to birth my son 'naturally', for which I am proud. I think I am perhaps in the minority of women who don't particularly fear labour (I have an amazing calm birth & yoga teacher to thank for that) and since my last experience, I absolutely can't wait to do it again. xAnna @ green tea n toasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08915960873730826839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7422372995850609269.post-18874088984366262302012-03-21T03:20:31.102-07:002012-03-21T03:20:31.102-07:00I am sorry that you felt you had to 'edit'...I am sorry that you felt you had to 'edit' your original post. This blog is yours after all. Last month, I've read two other bloggers having to make apologies about their own posts, on their own blogs, and this saddens me because no matter what your learnings or beliefs are, one still can't write what one knows/feels. I had two emergency caesareans and both times our boys had to stay in NICU - the latter for almost 2 weeks. I felt like a failure going home with no baby in my arms BUT at no time in your whole post did I feel you were against other Mother's choices.<br><br>Jodi, you are an excellent writer. Your blog is a great example of the marriage of words and images. I enjoy both!Lunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09281498399481433724noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7422372995850609269.post-38600838929928903802012-03-21T01:56:30.845-07:002012-03-21T01:56:30.845-07:00Ahhh Jodi, how did I miss this post. One of my all...Ahhh Jodi, how did I miss this post. <br><br>One of my all-time favourites. <br><br>I can't wait to see this documentary, with my homegirl Sheila!!<br><br>I have been shouted down on my blog for "boasting" about my natural births, and that I shouldn't make other women feel guilty or bad for how they birthed. I don't hold any judgement - but why do I have to quieten down about my positive experience? <br><br>If anything, we need to talk about this, bring it out in the open - talk and talk and talk. <br><br>This is a great post Jodi. xLexi:: PottyMouthMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11181216844318289796noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7422372995850609269.post-29119133233440928592012-03-19T17:18:11.358-07:002012-03-19T17:18:11.358-07:00I believe that every woman who has given birth sh...I believe that every woman who has given birth should be damn proud of themselves. What ever their experience and however their baby was born. I was "lucky" and had two natural deliveries and one assisted (venthouse extraction) delivery. One birth was induced, two births were not. All births were in a hospital and thankfully so, as one child was stuck and came out with a fist next to her head, the other was hassle free but fast and furious...and another resulted in severe blood loss and retained placenta. Each birth had their own issues and even after some minor difficulties, I still feel that I had the best births possible for me and my children. I was grateful for medical help each time as I would have been scared at home. Sometimes things just happen and ultimately we just need to be happy with the personal choices we have made. I do not personally believe that preparation before birth is what leads to a positive birth experience. I do not believe where we give birth necessarily results in a positive or negative birth. But I do believe that if you have supportive people around you before, during and after birth, that you will be much better off. Everyone has such different experiences and everyone makes the choices that are right for them at that time with the knowledge that they had. I had difficult pregnancies one IVF, I had severe morning sickness-hyperemesis and extremely low iron. I had hospital births that were I believe fairly normal and I have breastfed all my children successfully. That is my personal situation and I am damn proud...just as I would be if my pregnancy, birth or breastfeeding experiences were any different. I also am proud of all of the women in my life who have given birth...however that was! I think that it is great that you are posting information on your blog that you are passionate about. After all knowledge is power.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7422372995850609269.post-88984896767805268912012-03-19T16:38:58.184-07:002012-03-19T16:38:58.184-07:00well written. Everyone has a totally different exp...well written. Everyone has a totally different experience hey?! I love your attitude and this " More importantly than how they got here is how they get through". I didn't have cesarean births but I did lay in a hospital bed with women who had and I admire their strength and bravery.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7422372995850609269.post-83648154738555948862012-03-19T08:40:13.727-07:002012-03-19T08:40:13.727-07:00I want to watch all of this film. I am 24 weeks p...I want to watch all of this film. I am 24 weeks pregnant with our first baby. My husband and I recently watched "The Business of Being Born" and are now strongly considering giving birth with a midwife. My husband dislikes doctors and I know I don't want the semi-typical "laying down in a hospital bed, attached to monitors" birth, but that is me! <br><br>I know things can happen during birth which change how the baby is born and requires a change of direction. I am not dead set on having this because I know things can change, but for now the plan is- the less intervention, the better.<br><br>My husband and I were talking and he mentioned that women have given birth for thousands of years with out doctors and the majority of the time have been just fine.... <br><br>Thanks for this post.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7422372995850609269.post-1293324488953406902012-03-19T04:21:35.523-07:002012-03-19T04:21:35.523-07:00True !!True !!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7422372995850609269.post-9486035564315957672012-03-19T04:18:28.093-07:002012-03-19T04:18:28.093-07:00I have NEVER in the years since I have given birth...I have NEVER in the years since I have given birth known any woman to stay silent about their birth experience, whether it be good or bad. Its a topic that will engage any mother into hours and hours of detailed discussion. If someone can be so intimidated as to not talk about their birth experience in a conversation they are having with someone else,maybe they have a little bit of confidence or other self esteem issues to work on. I ended up giving birth in a foreign country with Doctors and mid wives I had never met before, although they tried to pressure me into having the Gas or Epidural (I think to quieten me down a bit) I REFUSED, and after about the 10th time of saying 'NO', they finally got it. Ultimately we have to put our feet down, and really the hospital staff are just trying to guide us in the direction, they feel is best. Although I look back now, and feel nauseous at my birth experience I am proud to say that I did it without any Gas or Epidural, and that my bouncing 9 pound 4 ounce baby arrived into this world without being pumped full of Drugs, I am just glad to be alive. It was really the most GHASTLY experience I have ever been through. Not because of where I was, I am actually glad that I didn't give birth in Australia. Its just the whole birth process, It's so INHUMANE, If men had to go through this process the Human Race would be extinct. Hence my child will be a one and only !!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7422372995850609269.post-67016677664992820162012-03-19T03:38:58.125-07:002012-03-19T03:38:58.125-07:00Love this Jodi. Can't wait to see the film. Ca...Love this Jodi. Can't wait to see the film. Can't wait to birth how my body and mind births. I will be in our local hospital as we don't don't have any birthing centres near where we live and home birth is flippin' expensive. The hospital and midwives are lovely though and I am (as you know) so excited for this experience! <br>I love your love for the power in women and your incredible understanding of the passion behind each individual woman and her birth stories. I wish more women could have your understanding, compassion and knowledge. xxkesh and tim's house on a hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00871863301218609478noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7422372995850609269.post-8932086687609542612012-03-19T02:58:18.532-07:002012-03-19T02:58:18.532-07:00In no time at all did I believe the way my son was...In no time at all did I believe the way my son was born had an affect on him and who he is. I was induced and had a rapid and fierce labour that had me panicking and losing control. I dilated so fast and he practically shot out of me. I was distressed and struggled so much in the early days and he was terribly unsettled newborn who I have come to feel was born before he was truly ready.<br>I am 8 weeks away from birth number 2 and have taken steps to hopefully avoid the same situation this time.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7422372995850609269.post-84283022892672663412012-03-19T02:27:47.429-07:002012-03-19T02:27:47.429-07:00Thanks for sharing this Meagan. xThanks for sharing this Meagan. xjodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09754100790023579994noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7422372995850609269.post-88229463025885242012012-03-19T02:24:17.896-07:002012-03-19T02:24:17.896-07:00Since we're all sharing I thought I'd shar...Since we're all sharing I thought I'd share my births.<br><br>I was determined to have a natural birth with my first but went to the hospital far too early, found myself in a total state of fear and he was posterior (apparently most painful of all) so after 23 hours labouring I had an epidural and had him a few hours later. (very lucky they didn't wheel me in for a caesar as he was born some 30 hours after my waters broke).<br><br>My second, a daughter, I was equally determined to birth naturally but after the first experience was also much more open to 'anything' and willing not let go of 'expectations'. I stayed home for 24 hours of labour before my waters finally broke and we rushed to the hospital. She was born completely naturally within 30 minutes of arriving at the hospital.You can read in detail here: http://www.thiswholefamily.com/2010/09/our-birth-story_13.html<br><br>Both attached right away and both breastfed until they were 19 months old.<br>All of this said, my son was a very settled, calm and peaceful baby. He rarely cried, slept and ate well. <br><br>They have both always been developmentally 'ahead of the curve' (as in reached talking/walking milestones very, very early).<br><br>But I remind you it was the second birth that was peaceful and natural. And let me tell you- this girl is ANYTHING BUT peaceful. Granted the poor thing is the younger sister of a rowdy boy. But she has also been riddled with allergies since birth- to the extent of anaphylaxis, she has a temper, she was very unsettled for the first 6 months, she has constant and chromic eczema, asthma and is unbelievably unsettled, clingy and moody a huge amount of the time (or maybe it's just this week and it feels like the longest week of my life... try me again in another week).<br><br>I just wanted to point out that yes, I do believe that how you birthed affects your health and the health of your child, but it is also not EVERYTHING. How you parent, what you feed your children, genetics, family history, chance, luck, fate... what have you, also all play a part.<br><br>I fully support having a natural birth- it was and surely will be the most beautiful and empowering experience I have ever had. But for those who haven't had one, for one reason or another, do not beat yourselves up over anything! If your child seems unsettled or has allergies I for one am not pointing a finger at you thinking it's because you had a caesarian birth or didn't breastfeed long enough. I know from firsthand experience, there are so many other factors at play, that we really don't know very much about.<br><br>xxxMeaganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00878259391140205192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7422372995850609269.post-61379949523025655642012-03-19T00:41:46.564-07:002012-03-19T00:41:46.564-07:00I did Direct Entry Midwifery in NZ in the hopes of...I did Direct Entry Midwifery in NZ in the hopes of becoming an Independant Midwife and although now as a mother of 5 I have strayed from that path it's still a subject very close to my heart.<br><br>It wasn't until I experienced the Maternity system here in Australia that I realised and truly came to appreciate just how lucky women are to birth in NZ...it was something I took for granted. We fought to have our children present at Kaizer's birth, as after four high risk pregnancies I had no choice but to labour and birth in hospital, and I am so glad we won that right as it gave our older children the chance to see how normal an experience giving birth can be. I do worry for our daughter in how things will be when it's her time to enter motherhood but the way I see it as long as she is able to make informed decisions there is no reason why she can't have an empowering and positive experience.<br><br>Really looking forward to seeing this doco :)<br><br>xTammihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02286360496206724896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7422372995850609269.post-10200138772979929022012-03-19T00:36:59.875-07:002012-03-19T00:36:59.875-07:00I've birthed 3 bubbas at hospital. First start...I've birthed 3 bubbas at hospital. First started in the birthing centre but moved to the wards and became an emergency CS. Second on the wards but a (fought for!) successful VBAC. Third was an elective CS as bubba was breech.<br><br>Women should have the right to choose how they birth, without judgement. The only time I question is when mumma seems determined to 'prove the doctors wrong'. I find that kind of attitude quite dangerous. xMaxabellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15761220164069379437noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7422372995850609269.post-52447754822482510972012-03-18T23:42:56.814-07:002012-03-18T23:42:56.814-07:00Looks like a very interesting film. I really appre...Looks like a very interesting film. I really appreciated what Noni said about all woman are strong...she's totally right! :) Thanks for sharing this!Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10357037310265771808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7422372995850609269.post-86859068564764019302012-03-18T23:21:01.781-07:002012-03-18T23:21:01.781-07:00I had three caesarean births. I loved each of them...I had three caesarean births. <br>I loved each of them. <br>Yes I wanted a natural birth but the choice was not mine. <br>And I am fine with that! <br>I love my children. <br>They are no different to any other child in their age groups...if anything they are more determined and confident. Maybe that's just because of the way they've been raised. <br>They are, however SO different to each other physically, mentally and in terms of health.<br>More importantly than how they got here, is how they get THROUGH. <br>THAT I am in control of. <br>And THAT I intend on doing well. <br>xxx StaceyMrs Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11551120904306601847noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7422372995850609269.post-2263143329633805112012-03-18T23:02:15.200-07:002012-03-18T23:02:15.200-07:00Hi Jodi,I just wanted to say (after reading the po...Hi Jodi,<br>I just wanted to say (after reading the post you wrote today) that I hope I did not offend you in any way. I thought it was a wonderful post you wrote, and as you say the documentary was about empowering every birth regardless of the situation. <br>I did not mean to imply that you thought that all hospital births were medicalised, but that I often found that mentality in conversations about birthing.. which are, of course, always heated discussions!<br>xKatie:: Grow.Cook.Sew.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01977957769627178106noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7422372995850609269.post-72358877356540772112012-03-18T21:19:24.235-07:002012-03-18T21:19:24.235-07:00Thanks for sharing your experience Anon xThanks for sharing your experience Anon xjodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09754100790023579994noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7422372995850609269.post-22284171537561714522012-03-18T21:16:18.870-07:002012-03-18T21:16:18.870-07:00Comparing my emergency (as in out in 10min!) caesa...Comparing my emergency (as in out in 10min!) caesarian to my elective caesarian - I would say that it affected myself, my partner and my newborn very differently (even though they were the same procedure, just one with no warning and one with lots of time to digest and plan). My first babe was VERY unsettled for the first 6mths of his life - he is now a placid gorgeous 3yr old. My second babe - super calm and sleepy for the first 6mths, and now a social, busy 18mth old. Maybe it just affects them initially?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7422372995850609269.post-46947169300687528962012-03-18T21:03:01.128-07:002012-03-18T21:03:01.128-07:00I look forward to seeing the movie Jodi - I am gla...I look forward to seeing the movie Jodi - I am glad it talks about how not all caesarian births are about avoiding natural labour.<br>I think natural birth is a wonderful thing - a part of me wishes I had that. But I didn't and I am okay with that. It is great to have options and information - but in the end we do what is best for us and our little families.<br>I call my daughter's birth - a beautiful birth - that is what it was for us, beautiful :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7422372995850609269.post-25555297114195887762012-03-18T20:14:43.413-07:002012-03-18T20:14:43.413-07:00Oh Jodi, I am reading through the comments in a wa...Oh Jodi, I am reading through the comments in a way I don't normally because of your postscript.<br><br>I feel quite sad, that as women we aren't more supportive of each others choices, but I think as humans it's generally in our nature to feel we have to defend ourselves.<br><br>I was born at home in the UK, a 10.5 pound baby, my mother's 5th, my brothers holding me moments after I arrived. It was not the only choice, but a normal unquestionned choice, and you went to hospital if you had complications.<br><br>I had my first child in hospital after being induced and 2 days later had an emergency csection. It was scary and not an easy introduction. It was a wonderful outcome in that Ella was born gorgeous and healthy and I was fine, but emotionally I felt I'd missed out.<br><br>I had my second daughter 3.5 years later, naturally, and that was incredible. Delivering our daughter is the single physical achievement of which I'm most proud. I loved delivering, I loved labouring, I loved it all. Perhaps that's because of the contrast with first time round, perhaps I have a higher tolerance for pain, who knows, but I loved it.<br><br>I feel I can speak on the two choices csection/natural because I've done both. I'm not preaching about it, but whenever I hear of women choosing an elective csection or choosing to be induced, I feel sorry that they may do that because they feel it's the easy option. It isn't. Again, perhaps it's different if an induction leads to a labouring delivering, perhaps a selective csection means the after care and the processes at the end are different to when it's an emergency. All maybes that I'll never know the answer to. However, in my experience, a natural delivery was easier, more rewarding, more wonderful. I have two gorgeous girls and although there won't be any more for us, I would go natural all the way.Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05576666721273174380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7422372995850609269.post-57429925594345539862012-03-18T18:51:42.411-07:002012-03-18T18:51:42.411-07:00I'm sorry you feel this way Anon and please do...I'm sorry you feel this way Anon and please do not think for a second that I would be placing judgement on you. Birth is a complicated subject - it encourages fierce responses because well, we mothers are fierce. I posted the information because I believe it needs to be shared. Some people believe what I believe, others completely disagree. And that's completely expected. As I state in the post - caesarian births can be empowering, wonderful experiences for both the mother and the baby. We should be expressing gratitude that they exist in our society...a point I often discuss with my students. <br><br>We cannot control the way we birth our baby. No one can. And often, while the mother may blame herself or her body for the need for intervention, that blame is unnecessary. I hope you understand that I use my blog as a means of offering information to hopefully educate and inspire. I do not write to cause judgement. xjodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09754100790023579994noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7422372995850609269.post-29688517535771766352012-03-18T18:42:09.016-07:002012-03-18T18:42:09.016-07:00i agree totally with the above comment. i have bee...i agree totally with the above comment. i have been following this post for days now and have not stopped thinking about it. Just because i ended up having emergency caesareans with my beautiful boys does that mean they have been "affected" in some way?<br>I tried really i did and often feel so judged.<br><br>I don't believe it is just mothers who have amazing births that feel judged ... those who don't often feel like they have failed...their bodies have some how failed them and to be judged is the last thing they/we need.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com