This afternoon ten women gathered to hear Rhea Dempsey talk at Peninsula Birth Support's March discussion meeting. Amongst us were mothers, birth workers, a pregnant mother-to-be, a grandmother and a handful of young children.
Rhea spoke about the current culture of birth in Australia, describing it as "the labour by-pass era", where women who want a normal physiological birth need to be "savvy" particularly during moments of a crisis of confidence.
She also spoke about birth being a "leap into outter space" in a culture where physicality is avoided (eg. taking drugs to avoid menstrual cramps, minor aches and pains, lack of exercise etc.). Rhea spoke about different models of care and the difference the people present in the birth space can make to a woman's birth experience.
The women present also shared their wisdom, exchanging memories from their own births and those they attended as friends, sisters and doulas.
Thanks again for a really terrific discussion, Rhea and women!
