I love my body. I know, strange to hear – especially coming from a girl. And I don’t mean that in a vain way. I’m talking about the awesome ability the human body has to adapt, to recover and to grow in spite of ever changing obstacles. From something as simple as kicking the common cold to something as intense as giving birth – it’s all possible thanks to the many intricate ways the body works together.
So why does it seem like everyone feels exactly the opposite these days? All I hear on TV and in conversations are negative comments, subtle messages that our natural bodies just aren’t “good enough” – we aren’t “good enough” without cosmetic or material interventions.
When Brian and I were talking to the midwife at my appointment, Brian casually asked how many girls got epidurals at the local hospital. She said somewhere around 90% – and that’s across the country. Woah! No wonder I feel like such a weird-o for even considering natural… I am definitely in the minority here! Well, at least in mindset. Who knows what the circumstances will be when baby decides to make his appearance. I know a lot can happen, most of which isn’t under your control, but 90% is a darn high number! Labor is a tough thing for sure, and yet, it’s gone on since the dawn of time. Many, many women in the past gave birth naturally, so why can’t we?
Well, maybe can’t isn’t the right word… more like won’t – or don’t want to. And why should we, right? Medical interventions can take away the pain. Why not use it? I certainly don’t mean to demean anyone for their choices, but rather, to speculate on a general trend I see in our society. It seems like with childbirth and in many other cases, we are becoming increasingly reliant on the medical community to solve our every woe.
I’ve experienced my fair share of ailments, so I respect medicine to a point. What troubles me is the abuse of this knowledge, and seeing people rely on the “expertise” of doctors rather than educating themselves. Pregnancy and childbirth definitely come with their fair share of discomforts. Physiologically, women’s bodies can feel like a rollercoaster at times. Up one day, down the next – it’s quite a rush. Going through all this the first time can be a very unnerving, sometimes scary experience. I’ve always been a nerd to the core, so I combat my fears by educating myself. It’s only after actively seeking out answers that I have come to discover really startling things – things we all take for granted without realizing the implications.
None of the information I’ve uncovered magically points to one true solution for every person – I realize the choices we make are still highly subjective. What’s right for one may not be right for all. But that’s just it – there are choices! We don’t have to lay down and passively take whatever is shoved at us, whether it be by doctors, media or peers. We can learn for ourselves. We can choose for ourselves. And in the end, having that choice is really quite empowering!

