Don’t you think it’s sad that pregnancy usually represents a time of fear and weakness in our culture? When you share your feelings and experiences about pregnancy do you get responses that are intended to cause dread and stress? When a mother’s ability to grow her baby is called into question, when she is made to feel inadequate and powerless, when the people who are meant to be caring for her, dismiss her independence, isn’t it time to find a better way?
When I got pregnant for the first time, I outsourced my power at every turn. Although I felt called to birth at home, I allowed the fear of others to convince me that hospital birth with nurse midwives was a safer option. This led to unnecessary medication and multiple rounds of testing for which alternatives and risks were neither offered nor discussed. Although the staff at the office were kind, and the midwives were knowledgeable, I always left my visits feeling let down and confused. I desired genuine connection, but what I had signed up for was documentation and policy driven care.
I did my best to connect with my baby on my own and I knew I should feel more positive and excited, but I mostly felt unseen, unheard and alone. This culminated in a terrifying and traumatic birth experience, in which an OB, whom I had never laid eyes on, was called in to literally rip my baby out of my body using a vacuum extractor. I was left with an infection requiring surgery and IV antibiotics exactly one week after giving birth. Is it any wonder that my post-partum period was marked by depression, breast feeding issues and ambivalence towards my baby for months? When I finally had the chance to talk about it at my 6-week post-partum visit, the midwife’s response was “yeah but wasn’t it so empowering?”…Are you F*cking kidding me?
I think the most heartbreaking thing is that my experience is not at all unique.
It doesn’t have to be this way.
Your pregnancy was meant to be a powerful, sacred portal. A time of holy reverence, when you are completely held and loved. A time to become ready to step into Motherhood in wholeness and confidence, knowing that everything is unfolding perfectly.
What if the power to have a conscious, joyful pregnancy has been yours, all along? What if freedom from fear is right within your reach? What would your pregnancy look, sound and feel like, if you truly believed in yourself?
When I got pregnant again in May 2020, I knew it had to be different this time. I realized it wasn’t about blame, it was about taking responsibility. I was not interested in standard prenatal care and I had done some really deep work to explore my part in my own birth trauma. I took my full responsibility and dove deep into the world of pregnancy and birth. I devoured homebirth stories and videos, listened to podcasts and read all the books. I owned my pregnancy, and I owned my birth. I was finally able to begin healing, and I knew I had to share what I had learned.
Introducing, True Pregnancy: a radically mother-centered approach to pregnancy navigation that was born out of my intense desire to speak this truth. It’s a new way of relating to pregnancy, rooted in absolute self-responsibility. It’s a road map to trust, in yourself and in your baby, to do exactly what they were perfectly designed to do. My hope is to offer an alternative to the standard prenatal care mindset which focuses on the mother as the authority and owner of her pregnancy, rather than as a passive patient. The goal is to approach each decision and aspect of your pregnancy from the most clear, conscious and courageous possible perspective. I want you to remember that you don’t need permission to do what is right for you. Rather than heeding the opinions of other people, you can use your discernment and inner wisdom to make a decision that is legitimate, insightful and true. This is what real informed consent looks like.
As you work your way through the program, you will practice deeply healing guided meditations, contemplate frank and honest readings and journal on thought provoking questions. You will slowly begin to unravel your unconsciously held negative beliefs around pregnancy and birth. You will discover that you have the ability to make your own decisions. And, if you show up with an honestly open heart, your True Pregnancy will reveal itself to you.
What you get:
Digital workbook
True Pregnancy video series including guided meditations
15-minute pregnancy-friendly yoga routine video
Optional add-on: 60 minute coaching session