Jessica’s Journal – Birth Takes a Village

To me, part of taking a stand for rights to choices in childbirth means taking a stand for reproductive rights as a whole. This includes rights to choices in miscarriage, pregnancy loss and abortion. This morning, news of a protest in Poland popped up in my newsfeed and the power of it made me tear up a bit.  According to the article:… Read more →

A few weeks ago my colleague wrote a post called Facebook Censored Me Again.  When my sister’s gorgeous story and birth photo were censored from facebook, I couldn’t  help but write my own post on the topic . I am so frustrated with our society’s viewpoint that women’s bodies are only acceptable for public viewing if it’s in a sexual context. People don’t bat an eye… Read more →

And so… The Midwife completes her work by doing nothing. Things arise and she lets them come, Things leave and she lets them go. Creating, not processing, Facilitating, yet laying no claim. And when her work is done, she forgets about it, and so it lasts forever! ~ The Tao of Midwifery Read more →

I often have people say to me, “I wish I had your trust in birth.” My birth philosophy has nothing to do with trust. It has more to do with NOT trusting that intervening in birth makes it better, safer, or healthier. It’s not that I don’t think complications can come up, or that bad outcomes never happen, it’s that… Read more →

Someone asked me today (like almost everyday): “How often do you see complications arise in home births?” I gave them the same answer I always give:”Rarely. I see complications happen WAY more frequently in hospitals. And the odd time a complication does arise, in my experience, they are handled in a MUCH more smooth and calm fashion in the home… Read more →