I felt such empowerment and total bliss after the birth

The reflection below is from a dear client-now friend Erin, who really wanted to have a freebirth, but also hired me as her doula since she felt like she might need some extra support. I got a message from her husband that the baby is here as I was stepping towards their house on their driveway. The energy was magical and the room was tangibly filled with birth hormones.

Time was passing but after eventually pushing out the placenta, her body did not want to release the amniotic sac fully. We ended up transferring to the hospital. It was a powerful experience for everyone involved: sometimes we get attached to a certain plan and ignore what's in front of us, but this was not the case. This mama followed her intuition all the way through and used all that was needed for the best outcome for herself and her baby. She had the most amazing, incredibly short birth in the intimacy of just her and her husband (something that would have been impossible in the medical system, considering the dates), but also used the medical help when it was actually the safest thing to do. We went in with peaceful energy, and the hospital staff was very friendly and helpful.

Following the instincts and also keeping one's mind open: win-win. I could keep going on and on, as this is such a great example of how birth is never just black or white, but I'll let you read what Erin wrote herself. Enjoy!

What were you worried about or hoping for before birth?

When I first realized I was pregnant, I had the conviction that I was going to be on this journey alone, me and baby and no one else. I was prepared to “freebirth” either with my husband and toddler or totally alone. I wanted to prove to myself that I am everything I need. Along the way, and definitely after my mothers blessing, I realized it felt really lovely and peaceful and safe to be held and supported by others, by women. I hired Greta at 37 weeks after connecting with her about birth for several hours and just feeling right with her energy. I also trusted that she respected me and my desires, and she also trusted birth.

I did a wild pregnancy, so there were definitely some anxiously curious thoughts that came and went throughout. Especially towards the end when I went past 41 weeks, then 42..

Greta was there to check in and ask questions that helped me really go inward and feel my body telling me everything was okay. She offered suggestion but always made sure to come back to my own instinct, which I greatly appreciated.

Greta’s energy is incredibly calm, grounded, and loving. Which is so vital to have in the pregnancy/birth space. Greta always respected my boundaries and gave her wisdom to the degree in which I requested. This was very important to me personally after having a birth with midwives who I felt did not hold that space for me in the same way.

How did you feel afterward—about the birth and yourself?

I did end up “freebirthing” my baby, which was incredible and ultimately what I kept envisioning when I would imagine my birth. I called Greta during transition, thinking I had 10 more hours of such intensity (really I had 20 mins!), and she arrived shortly after baby came through. She then helped me handle the birth of the placenta, where we ended up going to the hospital to remove a small strip of amniotic sac that remained stuck. Greta drove me so baby could stay home with daddy and she held my hand. We thankfully got home in about 2 hours and the whole time I was replaying the birth in my head like a movie and feeling totally high on those delicious birth hormones.

I felt such empowerment and total bliss after the birth, for weeks after and even now at 10 weeks pp I feel such creative energy flowing through me. Greta followed up and checked in on me post birth. She brought me food and gave me massage and an herbal bath. She really treated me not as a client but as a sister.

Memorable moments (during pregnancy, birth or after)

Finding a “village” in our sweet little town, full of mothers who have so much love to share was such a special gift during pregnancy. It’s also how I met Greta.

Choosing not to engage in the medical system during the pregnancy felt like such an initiation for me to fully be present and awake and discerning in my own body.

And the birth, wow. The most incredible experience of my life. To fully surrender into my body and feel the magic of creation physically and spiritually moving through me. I am so thankful to receive in this way and I am so thankful Greta was by my side in my last weeks of pregnancy, through the rest of the birth, and beyond.