My parents had six children, so my mom spent many years of her life pregnant or nursing a baby with other children in tow. She made sacrifices for us including breastfeeding each one of us for about one year. For those of us that are still able to show love to a parent today, I encourage you to do it! Today is a great day to think about our mother’s and to show them the love they deserve.
My older sister was the first sibling to become a mother. She started childbearing while I was a teenager and now has five children including triplets! At the time, I didn’t grasp the enormity of being a mother.
I learned about the journey to motherhood when I became pregnant and eventually a mother myself. It was then I understood about sacrifice and commitment. I read prolifically throughout my pregnancy and took classes in hypnobirthing to use meditation as a form of pain relief for child birth.
My birthing story was an incredible water birth with a midwife. I won’t go into too much detail but it was intense and completely over within four hours! I used breathing to control my heart rate which in turn relaxed my body. I challenged myself to breastfeed for 18 months partly due to my mom’s example and encouragement.
Giving birth to a child catapulted me into two years of working as a birth doula and helping women give birth and latch afterwards. The long labors of my clients and the difficulty of talking a birthing mother through the process was always worth the reward of having the baby crying moment at the end.
Motherhood is something that can be hard and unrewarding at times. In my case, it is not glamorous and seems to always be a test of patience or a power struggle. Although, it is fulfilling and the best part of my world. I am infinitely blessed to know the benefits of this club and to have been a member since 2015.
