The Birth Interview Project consists of 17 simple questions designed to help mothers process their birth story & share it with others. All mothers are invited to take part in this project. Born out of Joy’s desire to help women discover, process and express the feelings surrounding their birth experiences, The Birth Interview Project strives to offer a platform for mothers and readers alike to share and be heard, to search and to discover, to identify and to heal, and to exhort and remember. The views and opinions expressed here are unique to each woman who takes part in the Birth Interview Project and may not reflect the values of the blog author.
Beth’s first birth story is a hard one. The disconnect that she experienced during her labor and lack of concern that surrounded her birth leaves me with a sinking feeling in my heart. But it is the first story in a sequence of Beth’s birth stories that show her growth and empowerment in labor and birth. Beth is the mother of five beautiful children and each of their birth stories will be told through The Birth Interview Project.
I feel compelled to share with you a little about Beth before you read her story. I met Beth while I worked at Inanna Birth and Women’s Center as a birth assistant. I remember last December being called in for a birth, I quietly walked into the room thinking that I would see a mother showing the typical signs of heavy labor; to my surprise I saw Beth standing, swaying her hips back and forth, her hands resting on her belly, laughing, in mid conversation with her husband, son and midwife. Initially, I thought I was called in too early for assistance, only to find out from the midwife that Beth was 9 cms dilated and would shortly deliver her baby (in the water, a beautiful little girl, – but you’ll read that story later).
Being that I was around 30 weeks pregnant, I walked away from Beth’s birth with awe. I took her birth experience, meditated on it and allowed it to paint of picture of what birth – even my own approaching birth – could look like.
Beth soon became a friend and continues to pour encouragement into my life on a regular basis. Some people are gifted that way, and she is one of those who just oozes appreciation and validation on to you. Beyond that, I have to say, she gave me one of the best and most practical gift-basket-of-a-shower gift(s) I have ever received! Plus, I’m really glad that I have a friend who has so much experience in the mothering department. She’s raising five children between the ages of 13 and 1 – I can always go to her with my new (HELP, WHAT DO I DO NOW?) mom questions. Thank you, Beth!
I know you will enjoy reading Beth’s progression of birth stories. Here is Beth’s first interview on the birth of her son, Trey.
Trey, now 13 years old, holding his youngest sister, Rebekah.
Please give a brief description of yourself, and what number baby/birth you’re sharing with us.
I am a mother of five sharing with you the birth of my first child, 13 years ago.
What was your due date, and what was your baby’s birth date?
EDD – April 12
Birthdate – April 2
What was Michael Atreyu’s (Trey) weight and length?
8 pounds 6 oz., 21 inches long.
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Tags: Birth Stories, Hospital Birth, The Birth Interview Project
The Joy of This 