Barb's Gentle Birth Campaign
Don protégé
Call it passion. Call it a duty. Call it a midlife crisis. Call it service work or volunteerism. What ever you call it, I am heading out (get it?) to a Gentle Birth Clinic where I will have an opportunity to help women who do not have much access to prenatal care or other resources. Imagine a 40+ week pregnant woman arriving at the hospital with her husband, her 6 year old, her 4 year old and maybe even a 2 year old. Not too bad.... something we might see here in the States. But picture them arriving on a motor scooter. Now, imagine all of them on just one motor scooter riding for 40 or 50 miles in 100-degree weather, while mom is in labor! Oh, and by the way, this is the first time she will receive prenatal care for this baby. And then.... imagine them riding back home after just having given birth. If they are lucky, they will also now be holding their newborn.
Many of you who are reading this are well aware of the imbalances of US infant and maternity care compared with much of the rest of world. In the US, we often intervene too much in the birth process, while families in other countries might not have access to basic prenatal care. Yet, the birth traditions in these areas have much to teach us about the advantages of letting nature take its course and patiently allowing normal physiological birth.
Starting in September 2016, I will spend 8 weeks learning about how to provide much needed support to ensure healthy outcomes, but in a setting that is gentle and uninterrupted. My goal is to find balance. To gain wisdom from the birth practices the midwives have been passing along from generation to generation. To gain strength from the traditions that have sustained these cultures forever. And to gain courage from the people I will meet along the way. I intend to utilize my doula skills and knowledge to support families in what ever way I can. But I am already certain, that in the end, I will gain much more from them then they will from me.
If you have been fortunate enough to experience amazing, normal birth please consider donating so that others may also have a chance to have a similar experience. If you have had a less-than-ideal birth experience, please consider donating so that, together, we can improve birth practices and find balance for everyone here in the US and in far-away places. If you just understand that all things birthy is my "thing" and you just want to help please donate.
In order to make this trip possible, I am asking you to consider giving up your lattes , or your manis and pedis, or bring your lunch to work, or make a picnic for your family rather than going out to eat. Then donate what you can to help make this become a reality for me and those I will serve. Please consider how you can make a difference for the women of Bali and for improvement of birth practices here at home.
Oh, did I forget to mention that I’ll be doing this is in Bali, Indonesia? Yes, Bali might likely be one of the most beautiful places on earth, but I assure you that even people who live in beautiful places still need your help and support ; )
Many of you who are reading this are well aware of the imbalances of US infant and maternity care compared with much of the rest of world. In the US, we often intervene too much in the birth process, while families in other countries might not have access to basic prenatal care. Yet, the birth traditions in these areas have much to teach us about the advantages of letting nature take its course and patiently allowing normal physiological birth.
Starting in September 2016, I will spend 8 weeks learning about how to provide much needed support to ensure healthy outcomes, but in a setting that is gentle and uninterrupted. My goal is to find balance. To gain wisdom from the birth practices the midwives have been passing along from generation to generation. To gain strength from the traditions that have sustained these cultures forever. And to gain courage from the people I will meet along the way. I intend to utilize my doula skills and knowledge to support families in what ever way I can. But I am already certain, that in the end, I will gain much more from them then they will from me.
If you have been fortunate enough to experience amazing, normal birth please consider donating so that others may also have a chance to have a similar experience. If you have had a less-than-ideal birth experience, please consider donating so that, together, we can improve birth practices and find balance for everyone here in the US and in far-away places. If you just understand that all things birthy is my "thing" and you just want to help please donate.
In order to make this trip possible, I am asking you to consider giving up your lattes , or your manis and pedis, or bring your lunch to work, or make a picnic for your family rather than going out to eat. Then donate what you can to help make this become a reality for me and those I will serve. Please consider how you can make a difference for the women of Bali and for improvement of birth practices here at home.
Oh, did I forget to mention that I’ll be doing this is in Bali, Indonesia? Yes, Bali might likely be one of the most beautiful places on earth, but I assure you that even people who live in beautiful places still need your help and support ; )
Organisateur
Barb Lines
Organisateur
Littleton, CO