When
I found out that this week’s brown bag was on Birthing Stories, I was super
excited. Is that weird?
For
this brown bag, several women on campus (Brenda Ice,
Professor Jenna Reinbold and Professor Priscilla Van Wynsberghe) and Debbie
Alt, a doula, happily shared
their pregnancy and birthing stories. Each of their stories were unique,
whether between their different childbirths or between the women themselves. While
telling their stories, the audience would laugh at funny moments or cringe during
certain graphic moments. At the end, some of my female friends were terrified. But
this brown bag was not about scaring the audience, it was about sharing knowledge
of a normal experience. This brown bag was also about encouraging people to
talk about these things and ask questions, to be aware of the things that can
occur during pregnancy or labor, and to do their research (when the time is
right!), because first time parents are often under prepared.
It
was very interesting to hear how for one of the panelist, one of her labors took
about 20 minutes. While another woman’s labor took over 24 hours. One Professor
shared how her first labor experience was very difficult and painful, but her
second birth was easier (but still painful). Another Professor shared her
reasons for wanting a natural childbirth; she wanted to pass on her microbes to
her child, since humans have millions of microbes in and on them, and microbes contribute
to your overall health. By the end of this brown bag, I was amazed and awed by
the stories these women told and I am grateful that they shared them with us. Although
some of these stories scared some of my peers, I am excited to experience this
myself (in about 10 years!).
Debbie
Alt, who was Professor Reinbold’s doula during her second pregnancy, also
provided us with some knowledge about pregnancy and labor. A doula is a
non-medical person who provides physical assistance and emotional support to
women before, during and/or after childbirth. They also help advocate for
mothers during labor and often work with midwives. During the brown bag, the
panelist talked about the medicalization of childbirth, in regards to the
increase in caesarian sections (one in three pregnant women in the U.S. get caesarian
sections). Debbie provided examples of alternative settings used during
childbirth, whether it is in a hospital or a home birth with or without a pool,
with doctors or with midwives.
You
may have heard this once or twice before, but women and women’s bodies are
amazing! Can you imagine what our mother went through? I encourage you all to
talk with your mothers, if possible, and ask them about their experience while
being pregnant with you and what is their birthing story? As the panelist all
agreed, labor is an experience a women never forgets, whether good or bad. Talk
to your moms, and don’t forget to thank them! I know I am grateful for my mom.
-Valerie Garcia ’15
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