A simple yet beautiful drawing created by a 5 year old girl has been seen by nearly 500 000 people around the world. I wasn’t expecting such a fantastic response when I shared it on my Traditional Wisdom Facebook page but the comments are all really positive. Most people find it amusing and many agree that this depiction of birth is very helpful for normalising birth in our culture.
A few themes started to emerge through the thousands of comments flooding in. It brought up the current culture around birth, active and upright birth positions, siblings at birth and what we are teaching our children.
Doula’s of France said that this is a “powerful transmission from mother to daughter”. Georgia's perspective of birth is so natural and simple.
A few themes started to emerge through the thousands of comments flooding in. It brought up the current culture around birth, active and upright birth positions, siblings at birth and what we are teaching our children.
Doula’s of France said that this is a “powerful transmission from mother to daughter”. Georgia's perspective of birth is so natural and simple.
Birth in our culture
Comments came from all over the world with the most popular languages being; English, Spanish, Portugese, French, German, Slovenian and Hebrew. It made me ponder what birth in other cultures looks like too.
‘Midwives first’ said “contrary to what many people might think, birth doesn't have to be scary or traumatizing, it can be a beautiful natural part of life.” A portugese commentor said she loves that this child has escaped from the current collective unconscious about childbirth. Many birth depictions are of a woman lying flat on her back being surrounded by doctors and medical equipment.
‘Meet me at my happy place’ said “fear comes from the unknown and the unfamiliar. So, by not sharing how birth is it leads to insecure women full of doubt and fear.”
Where do babies come from?
Some parents are more open than others when sharing the details of how babies are made and where they come from. A Portugese follower said “We're all born. Why not face the naturalness of the act? Birth is a natural phenomenon and should be explained as such” and others agreed with this. The more we can normalise (even celebrate) birth, the more confidence our young ones will have when it comes time for them to be birthing.
People commended the mother for teaching her daughter about the beauty and power of birth in all it’s glory.
Comments came from all over the world with the most popular languages being; English, Spanish, Portugese, French, German, Slovenian and Hebrew. It made me ponder what birth in other cultures looks like too.
‘Midwives first’ said “contrary to what many people might think, birth doesn't have to be scary or traumatizing, it can be a beautiful natural part of life.” A portugese commentor said she loves that this child has escaped from the current collective unconscious about childbirth. Many birth depictions are of a woman lying flat on her back being surrounded by doctors and medical equipment.
‘Meet me at my happy place’ said “fear comes from the unknown and the unfamiliar. So, by not sharing how birth is it leads to insecure women full of doubt and fear.”
Where do babies come from?
Some parents are more open than others when sharing the details of how babies are made and where they come from. A Portugese follower said “We're all born. Why not face the naturalness of the act? Birth is a natural phenomenon and should be explained as such” and others agreed with this. The more we can normalise (even celebrate) birth, the more confidence our young ones will have when it comes time for them to be birthing.
People commended the mother for teaching her daughter about the beauty and power of birth in all it’s glory.
This is a great position for birth!
Georgia’s drawing is an awesome representation of natural birth and in particular active birth. One of my favourite birth workers, Gail Tully, said maternal position works wonders for helping babies come out!
Another commentor said “This is such a positive contrast to how birth is often portrayed.” It opened up conversation about women giving birth in upright positions - standing, squatting, kneeling, hands and knees and the use of birth stools.
Safe haven doula’s said “If all women knew their options in birth, imagine how things would look! As doulas, we strive to educate women on those options, and then support them in every way possible!”
Georgia’s drawing is an awesome representation of natural birth and in particular active birth. One of my favourite birth workers, Gail Tully, said maternal position works wonders for helping babies come out!
Another commentor said “This is such a positive contrast to how birth is often portrayed.” It opened up conversation about women giving birth in upright positions - standing, squatting, kneeling, hands and knees and the use of birth stools.
Safe haven doula’s said “If all women knew their options in birth, imagine how things would look! As doulas, we strive to educate women on those options, and then support them in every way possible!”
What about siblings attending births?
Many people agreed that preparing your children for birth and welcoming them into the birth space provides a great opportunity to normalise birth at a young age.
Midwifery care NYC said “When a little ones sees another little one being born, this builds so much confidence. Watching birth, however it unfolds, allows a realistic understanding of the power of the woman's body.”
‘Just Birth’ said “children aren't frightened of birth, it's adults that destroy the beauty and miracle of birth for them. You should try to normalise birth for your children, every chance you can’.
‘Full spectrum midwifery’ said watching a sibling being born can really shape a child's understanding of the normalcy and power of birth. Some women shared that they understand birth because they have seen their mother birth their siblings so they ‘really get it’. Future generations will have more options. They believe that movement in labour works, because they've seen it at their siblings birth.
Others reminisce on their own birth with children present: “When I was in labour with my youngest, my oldest was looking to see if he could see her head!” In fact some children are disappointed when their mums birth in the middle of the night without waking them. One mother shared, “My daughter squealed with delight meeting her younger sister, and then immediately started crying, "but I wanted to be there when she came out!". Another mother shared that allowing her kids to watch her birth deepened the connection they have with their baby brother.
Now it makes me wonder... How would the little ones in your life draw birth?
Kirrah Holborn provides pregnancy, birth and postpartum support in Lismore and all over the Northern Rivers. She facilitates Birthing From Within antenatal classes, gives nurturing pregnancy massages and provides placenta encapsulation services.
Pop your name in the draw to win a free pregnancy massage with me (entry form in right side bar).
Many people agreed that preparing your children for birth and welcoming them into the birth space provides a great opportunity to normalise birth at a young age.
Midwifery care NYC said “When a little ones sees another little one being born, this builds so much confidence. Watching birth, however it unfolds, allows a realistic understanding of the power of the woman's body.”
‘Just Birth’ said “children aren't frightened of birth, it's adults that destroy the beauty and miracle of birth for them. You should try to normalise birth for your children, every chance you can’.
‘Full spectrum midwifery’ said watching a sibling being born can really shape a child's understanding of the normalcy and power of birth. Some women shared that they understand birth because they have seen their mother birth their siblings so they ‘really get it’. Future generations will have more options. They believe that movement in labour works, because they've seen it at their siblings birth.
Others reminisce on their own birth with children present: “When I was in labour with my youngest, my oldest was looking to see if he could see her head!” In fact some children are disappointed when their mums birth in the middle of the night without waking them. One mother shared, “My daughter squealed with delight meeting her younger sister, and then immediately started crying, "but I wanted to be there when she came out!". Another mother shared that allowing her kids to watch her birth deepened the connection they have with their baby brother.
Now it makes me wonder... How would the little ones in your life draw birth?
Kirrah Holborn provides pregnancy, birth and postpartum support in Lismore and all over the Northern Rivers. She facilitates Birthing From Within antenatal classes, gives nurturing pregnancy massages and provides placenta encapsulation services.
Pop your name in the draw to win a free pregnancy massage with me (entry form in right side bar).