Prenatal Story Sessions

At the heart of every birth story is a “seed” from which it began to grow. You might think the story seed was first planted during labor when that unwished-for something caused disappointment or distress. More often, it may be that that unexpected or unwished-for event watered a dormant seed of belief, judgment, or an agreement (to avoid it). Only later, after labor, when mulling over what happened we may realize we are harvesting fruit from a judgment or agreement planted long ago.

​

Birth stories have long tails; they don’t begin with the first contraction or when the water breaks, or even during pregnancy. Part of the Story you are telling yourself about birth (which includes your beliefs) started innocently and unconsciously in childhood with the earliest stories you heard about birth, babies, hospitals, pain, and losing control. Children don't understand the nuances of the adult world, including the world of modern obstetrics, which most adults struggle to understand as well.

Kids can be overwhelmed by their mother's distress. And, because they can't yet understand the layers of context when a child hears emotionally-charged stories around birth, they create vivid imagery and make assumptions and agreements tucked away in memory. As a result, decades later, when writing a birth plan, the child, now an adult unwittingly dips their pen into an inkwell that holds forgotten images and fleeting agreements.

It isn't only the stories you heard in childhood that influence your expectations, decisions, and peace of mind, but also the countless fragments of raw, emotionally-charged birth stories from friends and strangers. Unfortunately, unexamined fears and beliefs may prevent you from being prepared to meet the unexpected realities that can emerge in childbirth. In addition, being unprepared can predispose to self-judgment, blame, and emotional shock. By proactively seeking a prenatal Birth Story Medicine session, you change how you are already writing the story.