Tuesday, December 28, 2010

"Woman's Body as a Lemon" assumption

I am devouring one of my favorite Christmas presents, "Ina May's Guide to Childbirth" by Ina May Gaskin, a midwife I first became familiar with while watching (and re-watching the documentary "The Business of Being Born").


She says a million interesting things and points to interesting medical texts, some from the 1840s (!), that could be useful to any expecting mother regardless of where/how she chooses to labor and birth.

The little tidbit that I want to share with all women is the following,
Doctors today often assume that something mysterious and unidentified has gone wrong with labor or that the woman's body is somehow "inadequate" - what I call the "woman's body as a lemon" assumption. ... Remember this, for it is as true as true gets: Your body is not a lemon. You are not a machine. The Creator is not a careless mechanic. Human female bodies have the same potential to give birth well as aardvarks, lions, rhinoceri, elephant, moose, and water buffalo. Even if it has not been your habit throughout your life so far, I recommend that you learn to think positively about your body.

So, that is what I am doing. Reading the book curled up under a blanket and believing in my body's ability to do my body's work. It simply doesn't make any sense to me that my body would figure out how to grow Zayd from a sesame seed to a little boy and then wouldn't be completely and fully equipped to birth him.

6 comments:

  1. Hey lady,

    Just wanted to say I love this post. I'm really glad you're finding the support (via books, midwives, blogs, wherever) to have your baby your way. I can't wait to meet him!

    H

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  4. What I love about your blog-and you-is the obvious thought that goes into everything that you say. We have discussed this before, but you are someone who makes conscious choices about your body and about your life, despite what seems like constant cultural pressure to do otherwise. You are the woman who chose a tiny woman's college far away from your home because it was the right fit for you after much research and following your heart. You are the woman who has "the best blood work" the nurses and doctors have ever seen because you wake up every day and make healthy choices about your vegetarian diet. I've often thought that it would be easier for you to say that you are a vegetarian for a reason beyond your control (religion, for example), but you quietly go about your life, healthy as can be, without needing to explain to others why you do what you do.

    I love seeing that same careful, informed, conscious way of being that so defines you here, too. Of course you are the woman who researches the millions of cribs out there to determine what will be best for you, your husband, and feedings with the baby! Of course you would be the couple going to meet with doctors, nurses, and midwives to determine what is the best plan and fit for your body, your beliefs, your family, and your baby! You rock. I've said it before-but Zayd will be the luckiest baby, and I envy his ability to be born into your family. It's a great one.

    And while your growing belly may elicit growing concern from well-wishers (what shoes were you wearing, exactly?!), your incredible, healthy baby will be testament to your wisdom.

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  5. I know the New Year isn't the "What am I thankful for?" holiday but I just want you all to know that I am thankful for all of the supportive and loving women who post here! (Someday a nice man might post and then we will thank him too.)

    The most I can wish any pregnant woman (including some of the less positive people who chose to post on my blog) is that they find a path that is right for them and their pregnancy and surround themselves with people that recognize birth is a very personal matter. Labor and birth is a journey for which no one else can light the path for you but having your loved ones close behind cheering you on as you make your way toward the big day is an immeasurable blessing.


    Now about the shoes, because it is so completely ridiculous.
    Once I was wearing a boot with a chunky and pretty low heel. I mean, maybe not low for a MAN to be wearing, but low for me or anyone that has performed on tippy toe for more than an hour to certainly be able to navigate.

    So, I went to the Rack (I love you Nordstrom!) and bought some FLAT motorcycle type boots. I bought these specifically to avoid confrontation with strangers about my boot collection. They are knee-high leather but pose no threat that I can think of. I think people's objections to these (on the basis of pregnancy) is that my feet might swell up inside and I would never get the shoe off...but I can't really be sure.

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  6. I am posting here as not to clutter the other post. I want to be clear that I know you are an intelligent woman and I respect your choices. I absolutely think there is a place for out of hospital births, even if I probably wouldn't have one (and not without a CNM). I simply wanted to share some additional information you may not have been aware of regarding the Texas midwifery board and some issues you may want to discuss with your midwives. I wish you only the best, and I won't mention it again.

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