September's Stories Day 3 - A Birthing Day

Today, just a day before his due date Matthias Jamie Raine was born. A nephew. A whole 9lb 9oz of pure gorgeous pink squidgy-ness  Obviously already wanting to make his mark on the world and surprising everyone most of all his mother by speedily arriving when no one was really ready for him just yet.
I missed his arrival by like 5 mins but then most of everyone else missed it too including the midwife. Seriously dude just half an hour longer and we all would of been there! But his mama did a totally ROCKSTAR job by bringing him into the world. Congratulations Dave and Tiff......Tiff you are AMAZING and Dave you did a pretty awesome job too! Babies wait for no one!

Birth ....its a family thing for us. Not only are new members of welcomed into the world by a room full of love but the mama-to-be is loved upon and mothered in this sacred and precious time.  We love on her for she is working hard.

The Birthing Space.....just like in the past and traditional cultures where its a time of gathering, celebration and support.  Its a space filled with love, wisdom, honor, and respect. Experience, generations and love. Its truly an honor to be a part of.  An honor because you are sharing the one of the most intimate and precious, raw yet sacred moments of the mothers story.  Where not only are babies are born but so to are mothers, whether it be a brand new mother or a mother of four. Every birth of a baby is too a birth of a mother (and father and family).

I feel sad that a lot of our western culture has lost this. For most its deemed weird that you have other "people" at the birth of your baby. yet its not weird to have perhaps half a dozen unknown medical staff in the room and maybe even a cleaner vacuuming the corridor outside your room.  I truly believe women need other women in their birthing space, to mother them, to know them and to understand. The art of truly supporting women in the birth space is being lost but to see in action is a truly beautiful and wonderous thing. A blessing. A privilege.

This is not about the where or how you birth. Its about support and respect. About mothering the mother, for she is doing big important work.

Happy Birthday Matthias Jamie Raine!