Why Sharing Your Birth Story is Important; Ann Arbor Birth Photographer and Doula

Sharing birth stories is something that is incredibly important for all birthing families. Especially for those families who haven’t given birth before! But, what might be even more important, is listening to someone’s birth story. Allowing the birthing person the time/space to share their story, and process their feelings of their birth, no matter how their birth unfolded.

My husband and I were the last people in our ‘friends group’ to have kids. My girlfriends and I met weekly for ‘Knitting-Night/Girls Night’ and we talked about our lives. From dating to marriage, to kids, we talked about it, every week, for over a decade! When people started having kiddos, we listened to all of the crazy pregnancy stories and cravings and waited with baited breath to hear their birth story. Each friend’s story was VERY different and I wondered what kind of story I’d end up with.

When I became pregnant, I spent a lot of time reading birth blogs, watching birth videos and reading birth stories. What fascinated me was the wide variety of birth stories that I read; some were fast, some long, others intense, some very easy, sometimes plans changed and other times things went exactly as expected/hoped.

Even though I understood that births don’t always go as planned, I still hoped mine would. They didn’t.

My first birth was a planned birth center birth and I had a cesarean birth. My second was a planned home birth and instead, I transferred in the middle of labor to the hospital for a VBAC with midwives. But sharing my story, with people who listened, and empathized, was hugely important in my healing.

We need to hear ALL types of stories, the good and the difficult - because both are important. This is the very first part of your parenting journey, and your birth can set the tone for those first few weeks, months and sometimes years.

Recently, someone in the birth world said to me, ‘no-one wants to hear my birth story, it was a perfect home-birth and no-one wants to hear how great it was, they would be upset!’ I was shocked! I want to hear your birth story, perfect or imperfect - because each story deserves the same recognition. If you had a great birth, TALK about it! We need to show that birth doesn’t have to be awful. If you had a really difficult birth, TALK about it! Not only can it help you to heal, but it can help others who have/or will have a similar experience.

I believe all birthing families should tell their story {if they are comfortable}, no matter how it unfolds. Because birth stories are worth documenting and sharing. Any of my birth clients are welcome to share their birth stories on my blog. You can read a recent home birth here.

Sometimes births are fast, intense, and amazing! You get the water-birth you’ve been hoping and dreaming of. You should tell your story.

Other times births are so fast and intense that it’s scary! Even if you are a midwife yourself, it can sometimes catch you off guard!

Your family can hold you close when things get intense. Your mother can hold you close and watch her grandchild come earthside.

Your husband can look at the strength in your eyes and he falls in love with you all over again.

Your birth can take you to the edge and back. When you need your doula to hold you, because nothing else feels right and things aren’t going as planned. You should tell your story.

You watch your daughter meet her sister for the first time, even though she was supposed to be home with Gramma, because your birth went SO FAST! You should tell your story.

The look on everyone’s face when your baby comes earthside after days of long labor. You should tell your story.

When everyone ‘told you that you couldn’t do it naturally, but you DID do it! You should tell your story.

When plans change and you have a cesarean birth because your baby is breech. You should tell your story.

Stories from dads and partners are just as important. I love hearing my husband recount our birth stories and love the dynamic between couples when they talk about how their birth story unfolded.

When your midwife supports you every step of the way and you have the birth you’ve dreamed of. Share your story.

Transfer stories are maybe some of the most important to share. It’s hard to leave the place where you planned to birth, with the people you trusted, to birth with someone you don’t know and you haven’t built trust with yet. Your story is important. Your story should be shared.

When your birth is easier and faster than you ever expected, that’s great, share your story! Show people that it doesn’t ALL have to be bad!

When you meet your daughter after you wake up from anesthesia. Share your story.

Reach out today about documenting your birth story.