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 always reflect the values of the blog author.
I nudged my mom to take part in this interview, and she agreed. How cool is that! Studies reveal that, as mothers, we NEVER forget the emotions surrounding our birth stories – even 34 years later. In this interview my mom shares the story of my birth, her third, and last baby.
My Dad, Gene, and my Mom, Marylois, in the early 80s.
I want to say, it’s my mom who I give credit to for allowing me to view childbirth as normal and natural. I grew up knowing the word midwife and how to properly say “midwifery” thanks to my mom. I also grew up not being afraid of labor and birth because, as my mom would always say, “Contractions are just a lot of pressure.”
I have to add, that it was a blessing that when I chose to birth outside of a hospital with a midwife during my first pregnancy that I not only had my husband’s support, but my parents complete support, too. My mom was present in the room helping me labor through both of my births.
My second birthday, smiling at my dad.
Please give a brief description of yourself, and what number baby/birth you’re sharing with us.
The Birth Interview Project has been so beautiful – reading all the precious birth stories of you dear young women! Joy asked me to write my birth story and so I will tell you about Joy’s birth. I was 29 years old – 1977 and we were living in Jacksonville, Florida. Joy was our third baby and her Daddy was in the Navy and overseas when she was born, but arrived home a few days after she was born.
The Joy of This 