Friday, May 28, 2010

Secret Women's Business

So i have a million thoughts running through my mind these days.
About Labour
Babies
Birthing
Women

How to get them out in a succinct way? I'll start like this...

I was at a women's group full of mums the other day and i made the comment " I wish other women had talked more about birth to me before i had my baby". The reply came thick and fast " Would you really want to know about all that pain?" "People only tell their bad birth stories" "It would scare you way too much". The truth is i was really looking forward to labour with my first baby in that unprepared way that only a first time mother can be. But i thought "Why don't women tell their stories?". It's true that the most vocal are always relaying stories of inductions and 36 hour labours and horrible hospital experiences. Yet i find myself still asking, Why don't women tell their stories? Maybe we have medicalised and hospitalised birth so much that only the stories that are full of drama are worth the telling. What about the simple labours? the quick labours? the unexpected labours? the different, calm or beautiful labours? Where are the collective stories about them?

I am sick and tired of labour and women's sexuality being secret women's business.

In fact not even women really talk about these things so i guess it's more like secret woman business.

Birth is the pinnacle of a women's sexuality. Birth is the perfect expression of the love between a husband and a wife. Birth is about family. It needn't be hushed or swept under the carpet or left for a few women to discuss. It should be collective knowledge.

Listen men, rise up and be strong and take your god given place in the birthing experience.
Women, let's begin simply. Tell our stories......