For my North American readers, here's the
Grazia article I was interviewed for (Issue 120, June 18, 2007). Although it's in first person, I didn't actually write the article myself. I just gave it a final thumbs-up once Miranda Levy had put it together. It was based on long phone conversations, emails, and blog posts. Of course it only skims the surface of my pregnancy and birth experience, as well as why I made this choice. I think she did an excellent job, however, in summarizing the essentials. I also love the British-isms! ("sitting on the loo" for example).
I have also included the letter page from the following issue, which features two very different responses to the article.
Grazia also forwarded me all of the readers' letters they received. They ranged from supportive to neutral to vitriolic. Maybe I'll post choice quotes when I have the time...
Wow, what an excellent article! I really like the letter the magazine got in response too...although the second one didn't seem like the author had even read the article, or she would have seen the part where you clearly stated that you knew how to resuscitate a baby, treat hemorrage, and the ER was only five minutes away. Sure, women do die in childbirth, but in those cases there are absolutely NO medical facilities around to save them. It's pretty annoying that most people who think UC is so horrifying think that women would not even place a 911 call if they were in danger, jsut for the sake of their "perfect birth." Talk about close-minded!
ReplyDeleteCongrats again on the wonderful article, the pics are really great too! :)
-Jill
What really cracks me up is the snarky comment about aromatherapy candles. Ummm, never used those!
ReplyDeleteI also don't see how my giving birth at home is insulting to third world women. I think it's responsible to use medical resources only when they are necessary. My using medical resources unnecessarily wouldn't in any way help out women in less developed nations. Ah well...
Cool Rixa. Thanks for posting that, it was neat to read!
ReplyDeleteThanks! The best is the page facing Eric's picture: big photos of Paris Hilton and Victoria Beckham. You know you've made it when you're right next to Paris. Woohoo.
ReplyDelete"I also don't see how my giving birth at home is insulting to third world women. I think it's responsible to use medical resources only when they are necessary. My using medical resources unnecessarily wouldn't in any way help out women in less developed nations. Ah well... "
ReplyDeleteoooh, good point. I never thought of it that way. I guess it's the attitude of "We have it and they don't, so we'd better well enjoy it!"
I guess it's on par with how most of the world lives in one-room huts, and we live in (comparitively) massive homes with designer wardrobes, plasma TVs, SUVs and more debt than you can shake a stick at. Gotta love it!
-Jill
I'd like to know where Zoe of Coventry is getting her maternal death numbers from.
ReplyDeleteThat article was wonderful! I thought the tone was perfect and very close to what I would expect you to write. It was calm, collected, and yet passionate about childbirth. I liked that you shared your experience and how it was right for you, and that is all that really matters. I do think people are too quick to assume that you expect everyone to agree with you.
ReplyDeleteI am still sad that you think I attacked you about your choice to give birth. That isn't what was meant or what I even thought. Please know that I think you are incredible, brave, and a wonderful example of mothering. Love you.
Rixa, it's a total thrill to see you in print!!!! :) I'm going to put a link to this blog entry on my blog.
ReplyDeleteMy humble opinion is that your using medical services you don't need could potentially divert resources from poor women who do (thirld world or first). How about we send some of our obstetricians from the U.S. to Africa and leave their healthy "low risk patients" to midwives! Zoe in Coventry probably has no idea what an insult of a gigantic waste American maternity care is. I bet National Health Service is a lot more rational in that respect. In her own way, Zoe seems to appreciate it ;)
I loved it. saved it to the computer to use for Trust Birth stuff.
ReplyDeleteOH RIXA!!! I meant to tell you that I got a call from our local paper editor after she read the Washington Post article. She had heard that I homebirth, and wondered if I freebirth. She was stunned to learn that I do and that there are many homebirthers around here who are very supportive of it. She wants to do a story after the summer (summer is when the tourons are around and it's busy so no one really reads the paper.) Very exciting!
I love the photo of you and Zari on page two. It reminded me of a fresh faced photo of my mother and me when I was Zari's age. You look very similar to my mother, though you are no where near her age! Did that come across as the compliment I intended it to be? oh geez.
Excellent article! I was really impressed with it. It makes me that much more excited to do it next time.
ReplyDeleteThe second response was so typical that it was quite boring. Why should women use medical facilities and resources if they don't need them? I honestly am fed up with the way the maternity care system works here. It kills me how much unnecessary crap goes on, all in the name of safety.
And, I disagree that the wishes of the mother have no revelancy to birth. In my experience, I felt so much more capable to ease peacefully into my role as a mother when I was delighted with the way the birth turned out. The only time I dealt with postpartum depression was when the birth was so incredibly traumatic. Why are women so quick to discount other women?
I appreciate your stand here, Rixa. I admit I thought you were a little crazy at first. (I even remember exactly where I was when you first told me what you were planning.) But after months of thought and consideration and soul-searching, I think you are spot-on in your views, and I intend to follow in your footsteps when the time comes.
Great pictures, too.
I too enjoyed reading the article. I thought it was well done. I was glad that your intelligence and preparation were obvious in the article. It would have ticked me off if they tried to make you out as some kind of wacky fanatic. I also appreciated how you made it clear that homebirth is not for everyone.
ReplyDeleteI loved it Rixa! Thanks for posting it for the Americans here. I also agree with the others re Zoe in Coventry...she obviously doesn't think through her statements...comparing undeveloped maternal deaths to western obstetrics is insane. Oh well, preaching to the choir :) Congrats on the great article.
ReplyDeleteRixa,
ReplyDeleteI think this is a perfect example of how "by small and simple things great things are brought to pass." It has been amazing to watch your blog go from a way to inform your family, and friends, about your choices to being a venue to open the minds of thousands of women around the world. Hasn't this blog only been up for about a year? You've accomplished a lot in that time!
I just read a really interesting discussion about UC over on Navelgazing Midwife's blog. Laura Shanley showed up and put in her comments, and I kept thinking about you. Maybe you will someday make as big a mark on the world of UC and Freebirth as she has. This article was definitely a good start.
It is so interesting to read the different sides of the discussion, to read the different viewpoints. It has definitely been a mind-opening experience for me over the past 9 months. I would never have considered UC before. Then, after my curiosity was peaked, I was completely gung-ho, and neglecting to look at the other sides in my enthusiasm. Since I'm still not pregnant, though trying, I've had many months to let my boiling, raging desire for a UC cool down to a nice, even simmer. I think that this simmer has made me more clear-headed and open to ideas and thoughts on both sides, and better able to make an informed decision.
You have already made a significant difference in the world, and I look forward to seeing what else you do.
Thanks everyone for your comments. This article and the TV show I appeared on were pretty much polar opposites. I was basically flayed alive on national TV and made out to be a silly, irresponsible girl who just got lucky--not my piece of cake, thank you very much.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great article! It's awesome that freebirthing got such a good report, for people who have possibly never heard of it before.
ReplyDelete