Here are the two videos, badly edited (by moi), of Felix’s birth. Part one is a snapshot of the birth process, and Part 2 is Felix’s emergence. I do have mixed feelings about posting such intimate material for all to see, but ultimately, I think it is so important to share the normalcy of birth with other women who may not have very much experience with how raw, real, easy, safe, and fantastic birth can be. Much of the footage was taken by my friend Katie who had never attended a birth before. We also had a camera set up on a tripod. When I watch these videos, I think Felix’s birth was probably my grumpiest birth. I had forgotten, in my blissed out haze of new motherhood during the past couple of days, about demanding either a hair elastic or scissors (!!!). Birth brings out the best, and worst, and most intense in all of us.
I am so proud of how incredible Horus and Treva were throughout, and so thankful for Katie’s wonderful presence, and for Lee, my sweet, cool, calm, and amazing husband, who would never presume to know anything about birth, but who trusts life, and who respects me and my sovereignty and authority as a woman, completely. I love you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dnv6WhJkGZI&feature=youtu.be
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjaSjUw8PmM
Congratulations to you on the new addition to your beautiful family!
Your documentaion of the event seems to me to communicate the beauty, love and “normalcy” in every way that you intend.
Your approach to work and life are brave and admirable.
Very best wishes to all.
Jim–Thank you so much for this incredibly kind comment. I am so glad you appreciated how wonderful our birth experience was. We feel so lucky and so blessed. Best wishes to you.
Absolutely stunning. I’ve been following your blog for a couple of years now and I just want to say that I deeply admire the wisdom, strength, and grace that you unceasingly exemplify. Many blessings to you and your family.
Oh Emily. Thank you so much. I showed this comment to my husband, and he almost choked on his coffee (lovingly!). Sigh. I SO often cease to be an example of wisdom, strength and grace…but I try! Always trying, always failing, we’re all doing the best we can, aren’t we? 🙂 In any case, this is pretty much the sweetest thing I’ve heard, and I hope you have an absolutely fantastic day. Blessings to you.
Yolande, I am so thankful that you posted these videos. I’m 22 and a long way from having kids (as far as I know) but I still strive to learn everything I can about my body, childbirth, and health, because I think it is so, SO important.
I have to admit, as I began watching, I was a bit afraid. I’ve never seen a natural birth so I was afraid of what I would see, thinking it would make me nervous about giving birth myself, whenever that happens.
Instead, I was brought almost to tears by the beauty and intensity of it all. And that is the feeling I am left with: breathtaking, intense beauty. I’m also left with the knowledge that giving birth IS normal and not something to be afraid of.
You wrote above that birth brings out the best, worst, and most intense in all of us and after watching Felix’s birth, I agree with all but the “worst.” Yes, you demanded an elastic or scissors (maybe intense, but not worst), but I also saw and heard you comfort those around you, even while you were experiencing pain. That really struck me and it showed how strong you are as a mother and as a woman.
I was also struck by the support system you had. Your husband and two beautiful children were amazing. I caught myself smiling more than once, especially when Horus was so keen on helping 🙂
Congratulations to you and your beautiful family.
Amanda, thank you so much for this message–it made me cry! And actually, I think you’re right–birth doesn’t really bring out my worst at all (gosh, not even close–eep). In fact, I have always found it quite strange and sad, that in almost every hollywood birth scene, in addition to all the other ridiculousness, the mum invariably has a moment when she swears and curses at her partner for “doing this to her”, which is so opposite to how I tend to feel during the process–just overflowing with love for everyone.
I am so glad that our birth had such a positive impact on you, and this is exactly why I wanted to share it. My first son was born when I was 20, and seeing other women’s births was so instrumental in forming my worldview on birth. I wish you the best, and when it’s time, the most beautiful birth.
xo
Oh, Mama, this is absolutely exquisite. There is something so breathtaking witnessing Woman in her fullest power. Your “grumpiness” was just gorgeous, and absolutely real. I love that you weren’t afraid to show everything. People can interpret your intent however they want about you posting this, I personally consider it a precious gift. And your partner/friend/children were amazing supporters. What a great energy exchange. Thank you.
Thank you Very much, Lesley. I am quite overwhelmed by all of the kind thoughts here. It is a bit terrifying, sharing our experience in this way, but the positivity from everyone has been amazing. Thank you!
Thank you for having the courage to share such an amazingly raw beautiful vulnerable loving …ah, I could go on…. experience! Love love that your children were just chillin’ awaiting the arrival of their little brother. Much love to you and your beautiful family.
This was beautiful. You did a wonderful job. I so wish I had a video of my labour and delivery.
Thank you!
Thank you so much, Mista. Yes, I’m so glad I have this footage. I wanted a video recording of our daughter’s birth, too, but the dear friend who was on film duty forgot to press the record button! Oh well–everything unfolds as it should. Take good care. yo
That was the most amazing, real, natural, loving, open thing I have ever seen human beings do together. I cried watching it. THANK YOU for sharing and congratulations on creating such beautiful life. xo
Thank you so much! I truly love giving birth, and I hope that my video can inspire women to choose peaceful birthing options. Take good care, Yolande
I just viewed this wonderful birth on youtube and had to visit your website because I was and am so completely blown away by your willingness to share the purity of your labor (and I cried like a baby watching you be so open). As I said on youtube, this reinforced the duality of life and all the pure essence that it beholds–fragility and bounty in one. I must say, since you have inspired me with your openness, honesty and truth that I will never in this lifetime be able to share the depths of my soul for others to see and critique, for this I am sure. However, the way in which you have done so inspires me to be more truthful in my walk here. I am thankful for your willingness and service to fellow sojourners.
Gosh, what to say, there are no words to surmize such beauty. May God bless you and your beautiful family–most abundantly!
Thank you *very* much for these kind words, Heather. It means so much to me, that my experience can in turn inspire others. Blessings to you, and thank you.
I wept clear through. I’ve never seen anything so beautiful in my life. I was robbed of this with my daughters, though my first one had undetected Down syndrome, and she wouldn’t have survived as the placenta was shutting down. Sadly, my other daughter died at 3 1/2 months, and it is her birth I grieve the most. They took her from me, gave her formula against my wishes. It didn’t have to be that way with her. Those hours apart- I grieve them as much as I grieve the life stolen from us all when she passed away.
I am so sorry for your losses, and for the unnecessary experiences you had during your daughters’ births. My hope is that in sharing our experiences with each other–good and bad–we can begin to heal, learn, and change the paradigm. Best best wishes and love to you.
Thank you SO much Yolande. I’m over the moon excited to have met you and share the journey of many future births with you. I have the deepest respect for you and I swell with gratitude that you would courageously share your life and birthing process unabashedly. You’re feisty essence will no doubt be an emblem for other Mommas wondering if they can let go to the process of birthing virtually unaided at home. Big kudos to you. Also, your boys are a sweet delight and your husband clearly adores you. Much Love now and always, Ally
Ally, thank you so much for this immensely kind and loving comment! SO much love to you, your light is a beacon. Cannot wait to connect more, soon. xo