Sovereignty in Birth: My Journey to Autonomous and Ecstatic Births
I conceived my fourth child in early 2020 - and we all know what happened in 2020… I very quickly decided I would have nothing to do with a hospital for that birth. My midwife closed shop and I was unable to find anyone else who was willing to take me on. So, I decided to have a “free birth.” Actually, I prefer the term autonomous birth.
Autonomous birth is the act of birthing without the authoritative oversight of state-governed midwives or medical professionals. It's about birthing in your own power and choices, with support coming from companions of your choosing, such as a traditional midwife. Traditional midwifery differs significantly from the medicalized version. Traditional midwives are not constrained by protocols dictated by licensing boards. They tend to work directly with women, emphasizing natural and physiological processes over medical intervention.
Physiological birth, in essence, is how birth unfolds naturally in an undisturbed setting. It respects the body's natural processes, such as the hormonal cascade, a chemical marvel that facilitates labor through a delicate balance that can be disrupted by bright lights, loud noises, or invasive interventions. My journey to understanding this was revelatory. I realized how much I hadn't known even after having three prior births. Learning about physiological birth, my previous hospital transfer for delivery suddenly made more sense. This knowledge empowered me and armed me with the insight that provided a deeper, more empowering birthing experience.
I was initially planning a completely autonomous birth (usually called a free birth) when we discovered my baby was breech near the end of my pregnancy. I was fortunate to find a wonderful birth attendant, who was knowledgeable and totally supported my decision-making process. Having someone to hold the space for me without taking over my birthing experience was healing; it was a soul-stirring contrast to earlier experiences where my choices felt secondary to someone else's protocols.
From this autonomous and physiological birth, I was able to experience the true ecstacy of birth. It was a transcendental experience. This wasn’t about painlessness; rather, through trust and surrender, I found empowerment, creating an ecstatic birth.
If you're considering bringing more sovereignty to your birthing space, here are some steps I recommend:
Inform Yourself: Dive deep into learning about physiological and autonomous birth. Knowledge is a powerful tool in empowering your journey.
Trust Your Intuition: Learn to listen to your body and instincts. Nobody knows your body and baby like you do. Remember, the process of birth is a primal experience rooted in instinctual wisdom.
Select Support Wisely: Whether you choose a traditional midwife or a supportive friend, surround yourself with those who respect your choices and hold space rather than impose control.
Create Your Sanctuary: Transform your birthing environment into a safe, serene space that allows you to move freely and openly express yourself. Regulate lighting, noise, and unnecessary intrusions.
Manifest Your Vision: Imagine the birth you desire. Journaling about how you envision your birthing experience can set a powerful intention.
Surrender to the Journey: Release expectations of control over every outcome. Embrace the experience with openness, knowing that each step plays a role in your unique journey.
Each of these steps aims to enhance your self-governance and liberation, which are crucial to experiencing the ecstasy that comes from an empowered birth. By reclaiming the birth process, you can invite serenity, connection, and profound transformation into your life.
You might not know this, but I actually have doula training and love to work as a pregnancy, birth and postpartum coach! If you need guidance on your sovereign birthing experience, please reach out. You can also purchase My Holistic Pregnancy Journal, which is the guide book that I created to manifest the home birth of your dreams.
