It's International Women's Day! (or was...)

So...you may be wondering how the two are connected. Well, I'll tell you. I'm almost finished reading this amazing little gem of empowerment and little known medical knowledge, and I am thrilled to have found so much of what resonates with me on both a scientific and feminist level!

Even if you are not planning to give birth with the aid of self-hypnosis and relaxation breathing, and even if you are not giving birth anytime soon (or ever again, or ever at all) this book is a powerhouse of fascinating historic details of the plight of women healers, and what their persecution (even executions) did to degrade and demoralize the act of labor and childbearing. It takes you on a journey from when midwives were the most common of healers and birth was a welcome and happy experience - often void of pain, to the modern day (as in not TOO long ago) horrors of unconscious birthing advocated by fearful and misinformed OB's. Babies were actually PULLED OUT with forceps, as if the body couldn't possibly know what to do on its own. And do you know the percentage of MD's that go into obstetrics because they "were interested in surgery"?! I'm not saying there isn't a definite place and time for C-sections, and I know it is not an easy choice, but I am very much against the current model of hospital birthing where each "life event" is treated as a potential medical emergency - fully equipped with all the bells and whistles. I recognize that there are true emergencies and that the hospital is a great place to be in the event of one, but research shows that many of the supposed emergencies are created by the situation and fearful reaction of doctors and could be remedied without invasive procedures if there were more perspective and education and patience. Of course, I will admit that I DO like to be in a hospital setting for my births - but that's because I like room service and housekeeping and not having to deal with my own house for a few days. I'd take a birthing resort over a hospital ANY day.

So I am grateful for this book and the knowledge of empowerment it is trying to provide and perpetuate. The view of medical intervention (or lack of) that it conveys is very much in line with my overall view of the true necessity of a medical system - meaning that we rely on it FAR too much. But that's just my 2 cents on the subject. I know this is something that women (and men) have widely differing opinions on, but I also know that there are many women who have not yet fully discerned what it is they believe and desire on these matters. And for that reason, I will add my voice in defense of pure birthing and in support of removing the fearful expectations of it that we have created in modern society.

Read this book if you are on the line about these issues, or even if you are looking for a well written description of how to actually use self hypnosis and deep relaxation techniques for WHATEVER it is that ails you - it's not just for labor folks!

And now you know just how crazy and liberal I really am.

Oh, and March is Women's History Month. I'm excited to read a fascinating book that I have on the subject and further my education on the continuing oppression of women worldwide.