Such a beautiful story! I am reminded of another of your articles where you mention how many people feel they have to run off and do ayahuasca, but maybe what they really need are just the proper rites of womanhood, e.g., childbirth. As someone who has taken and benefited from psychedelics, what struck me in this piece was how much your description of this experience felt reminiscent of psychedelic experiences (or it took me into a similar headspace). It really drove home for me the immense power of labor and childbirth. I can't wait to have my first child. Thank you.
Oh Allie thank you for this comment and for subscribing ♥️ I appreciate your insight and experience here. I made the comment about ayahuasca as a sort of dig at myself because I had a time where I felt that was going to save me from my heroin addiction. While I still believe that psychedelics have their place and value, I think it was naive of me to believe that I would be cured just from that experience without doing any other transformational work in my everyday life. Birth took me there and forced upon me that everyday work too-and that isn’t to say that that is an answer to our problems in and of itself but I think there is something to knowing and believing that the rites of passage that are literally built into our physiology are there for a reason. What a layered, multidimensional existence we all live! All the love to you and blessings on your journey to motherhood, whenever it should come!
Thank you so much, Emily! I am struck by this idea that rites of passage are literally built into our physiology -- seems spot-on, but I never thought of it that way before! Makes me wonder what other rites of passage (even if small ones) I may be avoiding!
A beautiful story that leaves me full of awe and reverence and also often nodding in recognition. My second daughter was breech, as I think I’ve mentioned. The pregnancy was monitored and we knew her position in advance. Still, the actual events happened in their own way on their own time and I got to experience that “animal” side of myself (like you I am non-dualistic: I love the Leonard Cohen line “your body is really really really really you”)
I was “out of my mind” especially in the final moments but my husband tells me I was laughing ecstatically: I remember overwhelming wonder and surprise at what my body had just done.
My birth story is also no longer public but if you ever want to read it, I can share; let me know.
I’m looking for a private message option on here but there doesn’t seem to be one. 😁Send me an email: torthuil@gmail.com if you would like. I can add you as a blog reader or email a PDF.
Thank you for sharing your story! My first baby was breech. I labored at home with my husband and midwife for 30 long hours before going in for a C-section. Even though it didn't go how I planned, I've had a fascination with breech births ever since. I've now had 6 vbacs! All big babies, and all came in their own way.
With my 4th birth my midwives almost didn't make it in time...a little scary when I was ready to push and thought they might not make it, but also beautiful to labor in the quiet evening, mostly alone until I was ready to wake up my husband at the end. It was my first and only pain-free birth which was pretty amazing because I didn't used to believe that was even possible.
6 vbacs!! That is truly amazing! Your fourth birth sounds a lot like my last two, I seemingly am more of a “cat” when it comes to labor and want to be totally alone, and don’t wake/fetch my husband until it is time. Minus the pain free part! I think I’m sort of living in the space you were in before yours—I know that that happens but it seems so impossible and strange to me as birth has always been very painful. I do take faith in the understanding that pain isn’t necessarily the default/design. Thank you for sharing with me❤️
What a beautiful story, thank you for sharing it. I didn’t know that breech babies were considered to grow up to be healers. I’m going to investigate the stories behind that lovely piece of trivia.
It is so wild to me that someone shared this so I’m reading it over a year after it was written, in the midst of feeling a ever deepening call to return to birth work.
this was so so so beautiful and special and got me thinking about my homebirths with my baby girls. thank you so much for sharing. your words and the emotions they evoked were so welcome. 💘💘💘 what an amazing mama all your children have.
I don't think you mention it in the piece I just read, but did you register your baby's birth with the authorities? (Actually, it's probably better not to answer that question when it comes from a total stranger.)
The reason I ask is because I would like to hear from any mother who refused to inform the State about the birth. So if you know anyone in that position who might be willing to speak to me please let them know.
Such a beautiful story! I am reminded of another of your articles where you mention how many people feel they have to run off and do ayahuasca, but maybe what they really need are just the proper rites of womanhood, e.g., childbirth. As someone who has taken and benefited from psychedelics, what struck me in this piece was how much your description of this experience felt reminiscent of psychedelic experiences (or it took me into a similar headspace). It really drove home for me the immense power of labor and childbirth. I can't wait to have my first child. Thank you.
Oh Allie thank you for this comment and for subscribing ♥️ I appreciate your insight and experience here. I made the comment about ayahuasca as a sort of dig at myself because I had a time where I felt that was going to save me from my heroin addiction. While I still believe that psychedelics have their place and value, I think it was naive of me to believe that I would be cured just from that experience without doing any other transformational work in my everyday life. Birth took me there and forced upon me that everyday work too-and that isn’t to say that that is an answer to our problems in and of itself but I think there is something to knowing and believing that the rites of passage that are literally built into our physiology are there for a reason. What a layered, multidimensional existence we all live! All the love to you and blessings on your journey to motherhood, whenever it should come!
Thank you so much, Emily! I am struck by this idea that rites of passage are literally built into our physiology -- seems spot-on, but I never thought of it that way before! Makes me wonder what other rites of passage (even if small ones) I may be avoiding!
I’m not tearing up 🥹
What an amazing breech free-birth!
I’m fascinated that you read a page about breech the day before too, I don’t think it was a coincidence. Something deep inside must have known.
My heart fills with joy reading physiological birth stories and VBB holds an even more special place.
I feel the same about reading that page ♥️ thank you so much for reading
A beautiful story that leaves me full of awe and reverence and also often nodding in recognition. My second daughter was breech, as I think I’ve mentioned. The pregnancy was monitored and we knew her position in advance. Still, the actual events happened in their own way on their own time and I got to experience that “animal” side of myself (like you I am non-dualistic: I love the Leonard Cohen line “your body is really really really really you”)
I was “out of my mind” especially in the final moments but my husband tells me I was laughing ecstatically: I remember overwhelming wonder and surprise at what my body had just done.
My birth story is also no longer public but if you ever want to read it, I can share; let me know.
I would love to read! I know that “out of the mind” feelings and love that it inspired laughter in your own time of birthing ♥️
I’m looking for a private message option on here but there doesn’t seem to be one. 😁Send me an email: torthuil@gmail.com if you would like. I can add you as a blog reader or email a PDF.
Sent!
Thanks! Sorry, I’ve been super busy but I’ll add you next time I take out my laptop
Beautifuuul😭 Nothing like a birth story to start the week off right. Ugh Emily, you’re making me want another...
Aww thank you Amber♥️ it makes me want another too honestly!
Thank you for sharing your story! My first baby was breech. I labored at home with my husband and midwife for 30 long hours before going in for a C-section. Even though it didn't go how I planned, I've had a fascination with breech births ever since. I've now had 6 vbacs! All big babies, and all came in their own way.
With my 4th birth my midwives almost didn't make it in time...a little scary when I was ready to push and thought they might not make it, but also beautiful to labor in the quiet evening, mostly alone until I was ready to wake up my husband at the end. It was my first and only pain-free birth which was pretty amazing because I didn't used to believe that was even possible.
6 vbacs!! That is truly amazing! Your fourth birth sounds a lot like my last two, I seemingly am more of a “cat” when it comes to labor and want to be totally alone, and don’t wake/fetch my husband until it is time. Minus the pain free part! I think I’m sort of living in the space you were in before yours—I know that that happens but it seems so impossible and strange to me as birth has always been very painful. I do take faith in the understanding that pain isn’t necessarily the default/design. Thank you for sharing with me❤️
What a beautiful story, thank you for sharing it. I didn’t know that breech babies were considered to grow up to be healers. I’m going to investigate the stories behind that lovely piece of trivia.
Thank you! It is an old folk belief, I’m not too sure of the origin but definitely worth a deep dive 💗
It is so wild to me that someone shared this so I’m reading it over a year after it was written, in the midst of feeling a ever deepening call to return to birth work.
Thank you for sharing your lovely story ❤️
Oh lovely! Curious what you do in this realm?
Just beautiful ✨
Thank you Wren!
Such a beautiful story of birth ❤️
Thank you so much ✨
this was so so so beautiful and special and got me thinking about my homebirths with my baby girls. thank you so much for sharing. your words and the emotions they evoked were so welcome. 💘💘💘 what an amazing mama all your children have.
Aww thank you!
Quite possibly one of the most beautiful things I have ever read. Thank you 🙏❤️
Thank you so much! 🙏
Incredibly beautiful, thank you so much for sharing this story Emily.
Thank you for reading Catie ♥️
so beautiful 🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹 what a treat to read sweet mama, gosh i have such a soft spot for breech bbs too. love to share this experience 😍
Thank you friend! I know you understand ♥️
I am a man so I will never know what giving birth to another human being is actually like. But this was close, so thank you.
Well that is a high compliment, so thank you!
I don't think you mention it in the piece I just read, but did you register your baby's birth with the authorities? (Actually, it's probably better not to answer that question when it comes from a total stranger.)
The reason I ask is because I would like to hear from any mother who refused to inform the State about the birth. So if you know anyone in that position who might be willing to speak to me please let them know.
If you'd like to know more about where I am coming from you can read this Substack article I wrote a few months back: https://jpbruce.substack.com/p/branded-by-the-combine
Thanks for reading this anyway.
I did, but after a couple of years. I know people who did not, but not sure they would be willing to discuss to be frank! I will be sure to read!
I was on the Freebirth pod back in the day.
I definitely felt a Homebirth vibe from you when I first read your notes.
How fun to see that we have this in common.
https://www.freebirthsociety.com/blogs/the-free-birth-podcast/a-mother-whose-done-it-all-the-tale-of-jenny-hatch
Thanks for sharing your story!
Cheers!
Jenny Hatch
PS I restacked you here…
https://healthyfamilies.substack.com/p/a-freebirth-breech-story?sd=pf
Thank you for sharing and I will be sure to listen to your episode, Jenny! Thanks for linking it!
Thank you for this beautiful share
Thank you for reading!