A Homebirth Experience
A Homebirth Experience is the one contemporary book I know of that takes the reader on the inner journey of birth. Birth can seem to be only a medical, technological, intellectual experience and yet this book speaks to more; it speaks to the spiritual, transformational, an emotional aspects of birth as well.
Birth is a life passage, one that has a peak impact on the lives of those who experience it, and one that draws from all past experiences. Through this book, the reader feels with Chita, Steve, Richard and Crystal, the full range of emotions surrounding birth: fear, retreat, exultation, and witnesses these emotions transformed into a happy and healthy birth experience.
A Homebirth Experience: captures the experience of birth through photography, poetry, narrative and reflection. And while this is a homebirth story, it is not only the place of birth that creates the drama. This is, instead, a story of the universal elements of birth: Are we really pregnant? Are we ready to be parents? What kind of birth do we want With whom do we want to share the experience of pregnancy and birth? What if…? Will we be equal to the challenge? Steve and Chita’s drama is one that all birthing couples play out.
Chita’s begins the book with sensitive, honest and thoughtful reflections of a questioning, expectant mother. Steve poetically expresses the transition from tentative observer to new father and partner in parenting. Midwife Crystal adds the inspirational overtones that lend an awareness of the greater purpose and significance of this birthing for all involved. And Richard, doctor and friend, weaves it all together as his narrative examines the safety and advisability of home birth in general while focusing on the unique story and special relationship of Chita and Steve, in particular.
The words of Chita, Steve, Crystal and Richard, form partnership with the photographs of David Scheinbaum, without which there is no story. The photographs are the glue, the overview, the participant observer showing us the real people looking back from the words, the real work of the experience unveiled month by month.
The real work the experience rests on the decision of Chita and Steve to take personal responsibility of their own health care. Even though they were surprised by their pregnancy. Chita and Steve insisted on being active participants in their pregnancy, shared in between them, and surrendered to it emotionally. They chose their doctor, midwife and birth setting carefully, chose the parameters of what they considered safe and for what they required intervention. They involved themselves in the process of pregnancy and birth, and thereby made it an active, vibrant catalyst that they could confidently respond to rather than retreat from in fear. Chita and Steve’s confidence, their involvement, and their insistence fueled the creation of the kind of birth they wanted.
A Homebirth Experience represents the union of five people who agreed to experience and document the birth of Jason no matter how it turned out and faced together new fears as they appeared during pregnancy and labor. In watching them, in lookin in on them through this book, one observes the actual documentation in process and becomes part of the hope for a good and safe birth. Not without struggle, but with dignity and perseverance, Chita and Steve have the kind of birth they want. This book documents their adventure and gives us all a window into the story that affirms that we can too.
Peggy O’Mara ChMahon, Editor & Publisher, Mothering Magazine, Introduction to A Homebirth Experience.
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