Wild and free.

I was waiting a lot in the beginning.

Waiting for weird ass cravings. Waiting for smells to turn me off. Waiting to vomit.

But nothing. 

Feeling no different to any other day for the first 5 or 6 months.

Cucumber was the only culprit, giving me rib breaking indigestion. And I was also graced with a 24 hour bout of vertigo. Had me feeling like I was on a long distance hangover.

While all the waiting was happening, we had a long list of tests on our fancy antenatal package to get through.

We were that overwhelmed that we just said yes. Covered by insurance? Yes. Out of pocket? Yes. “What if?” we said. “Book us in!” We said.

Did you know you don’t actually need to do any of it? Not even one ultrasound?

Now this bewildered me. Because we’ve subconsciously been conditioned to consider pregnancy, labour and childbirth to be some sort of medically controlled state.

We’ve forgotten that since the beginning of time, women have conceived and given birth. 

Wild and free.

Without interference.

That these 2 things, connected by pregnancy and labour, are incredibly harmonious, natural and hormonal processes.

So here we are. Locked in, pregnant and vulnerable. Of course we want to be prepared. And to a certain extent, are thankful for modern medicine and technology.

So what’s my problem?

When money-making modern medicine, technology and - dare I say it - obstetrics, get in the way of that incredibly harmonious, natural and hormonal process I was talking about.

I need you to do something.

Go on Google. Search “basic antenatal care”.

It’s giving red flags and interventions.

Insinuating there could be “problems” before you’ve barely ovulated.

So without sounding like I’ve absolutely contradicted myself; yes I looked forward to the reassurance at my appointments.

BUT, as useful as they can be, they aren’t perfect. They might even lead to unnecessary interventions and anxiety in an otherwise uncomplicated pregnancy.

Interfering with your right to surrender into your power. And to trust and birth your baby the way you wish to.

Talk soon x