I recently came across this wonderful teaser for an Australian documentary called The Face of Birth. It’s a film about pregnancy, childbirth and the power of choice. With all that is going on in New York City these days with the closing of St. Vincent’s Hospital and what that means for families here that would like the right to give birth at home, I thought it was worth taking another look at some of the families around the world that are also fighting for the right to choose.

I gave birth to my son 13 years ago in a hospital. I just did what I was told and it was frightening, not the empowering experience described by the woman in this video. If I had known then what I know now I would have done more research, read more. Not just the “What to eat”  or “How to make your nursery safe” kinds of books, but the books that would have made me question, and wonder, and dig a little deeper when thinking about the experience I was about to have with my baby. I would have listened more intently to the stories of woman, braver and more intrepid than me, allowing myself to be guided by wisdom rather than fear. I would have sought out the compassionate and respectful care of an experienced midwife and I would have welcomed the nurturing support of a Doula before, during and after. But most importantly I would have made conscious choices, because choice is key. Choice is worth fighting for.

Also check out this blog post by Keith, RN called New York City is now a Home Birth Backwater.

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