One Word: Gratifying!

Recently, I had the pleasure of chatting with my neighbor. It was her 74th birthday and we were sitting around with her partner and sister that are also in their 70s. The conversation came around to the work that I do; and,

I was blown away with the connection and love these women shared when retelling their birth experiences.

First and foremost, we must understand that this moment lives within us. Our birth journey, that pivotal day, stays with us always. The way we felt, how we were treated, what happened; imprints upon us forever.

Not to mention that you will celebrate this day every year, your child is a walking reminder of how this day feels and lives inside you.

As I sat listening to these women, whose children are my age, I felt such admiration and strength. One woman plainly said,

"Birth was so GRATIFYING!"

Not horrible, scary, or traumatizing but gratifying! I sat there thinking how incredible, and what an amazing gift. She continued to share her beautiful story about meeting her baby. It wasn't easy AND it was still gratifying.

I sat there thinking YES, YES, YES. Birth has so much to offer us. We have so much to gain from this experience. We obviously get a baby (yeah!) AND we also get the opportunity to rise, to 'lean in' to our primal selves, to connect to the inner space that craves joy, beauty, love AND we get the opportunity to expand beyond measure.

How gratifying does that sound?! Your birth journey can be more than you ever dreamed.

I am not going to tell you that it won't be hard. I am not going to tell you that it won't be scary at times. And, I won't tell you that it will be perfect.

I WILL tell you that you are strong, that you are brave and that you are surrounded by love. I WILL tell you that when we learn to trust this moment, when we trust ourselves and the process; it can be sooooo gratifying!

This is my one wish - that YOU will be able to feel this way about your experience.

It will be exhausting and challenging AND hopefully what imprints on you is your strength, your raw power, devotion and dedication to this moment. How you showed up and how you felt when you welcomed your baby into the world!

I would love to hear your thoughts. Feel free to share your one word with us. And, if you are interested in making this moment a lasting and gratifying one, check out our Connected Childbirth series today!