"A manifesto is a public declaration of principles and intentions, often political in nature, but may also be life stance related."
So here I am -- an official blogger. I am a natural childbirth educator. I have taught the Bradley Method for 5 years. I have 4 children and would have more if they would remain babies forever. I love pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding.
I have thought about doing this for quite some time, but naming a blog seemed so overwhelming. I have written a book on natural childbirth in my head and the title is "Banned From Baby Showers." Catchy, I think. " Why? Why would Donna be banned from baby showers?" I decided a couple of years ago that it was probably more important to have friends than to educate them about why they shouldn't believe everything their OB says. I just cannot tolerate the games that are played, making light of inductions and medication in labor. How we birth our babies is a reflection of who we are as human beings. After offending, and having to apologize to, several people at a baby shower, I decided it's better if I just stay away. I can offer congratulations and gifts privately.
So here I am, an educator in a world where the majority of women don't want to be educated, at least when it comes to labor and birth. It's easier to not know. If you have information, you simply cannot leave the decision making to your doctor. You have to act on your knowledge. Truly, knowledge is power.
As the definition of the word "manifesto" reads, birth is highly political and the majority of women don't know this until they start questioning their doctors and hospitals, and yes, insurance companies. The AMA is trying desperately to interfere with a woman's right to have a midwife-attended homebirth. Even as I type the word "homebirth" it says that I have misspelled it, like it isn't even a word!
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