The book is packed full of tips for those interested in the idea of a minimal intervention birth plan, and the second half of the book is dedicated to empowering and detailed birth stories.
The week ahead is pretty monumental. It’s a fresh start – a new year!
Many of us are in the middle of goal setting. If you want to read my thoughts on New Year’s Resolutions (hint: run from them) and some of my goals for the upcoming year, click here.
I actually heard from a friend today that said her goal is to read one book a week. Wow. That’s impressive. And though that is not my goal this year, I love the idea of reading more. I know many of us hope to read more in 2019.
The book is packed full of tips for those interested in the idea of a minimal intervention birth plan, and the second half of the book is dedicated to empowering and detailed birth stories.
I’d love for you to share this with friends and family that would love to get their hands on their first read for 2019.
I now have over twenty birth stories contributed. They may have all been natural births, but each story is very unique, as are the bad ass mamas featured.
I’ve got a matter of minutes before my baby awakes from her magical slumber and turns in to a salivating little monster in search of THE MILK.
I wanted to give a quick update of where things are at with the most recent masterpiece in the making – a compilation of Natural Birth Stories, meant to inspire woman to take control of their birth care.
A Woman that had two medicated births and wanted to finally have the birth experience she desired
A woman that gave birth in one of the most progressive birth countries: The Netherlands
A woman that delivered TWINS without pain meds
A woman that had her baby eight minutes after arriving at the hospital (my hand is up)
A woman whose labor lasted more than a day
A woman that had to fight the negativity she received from the hospital staff to persevere
A woman whose body was recovering from physical injury and just a year ago never would have thought her body was capable
A woman that had to face the feared “back labor”
A woman afraid of hospitals and pain.
A woman that has been ashamed to share her birth story because it’s not acceptable to share a positive birth story in light of all the negativity surrounding birth
A woman that had to cancel a work presentation to go deliver her baby
In short, a bad ass woman just like you.
So here is where I am at –
The stories are in, I have requested follow-up details from every contributor, I interviewed Staci (Doula and Owner of Labor of Love), I hired the editor this afternoon, and I am wrapping up the opening chapters this week.
The book is on track to come out this summer. Subscribe to this blog via email to be the first to know when it launches, or follow us on Facebook @Storiesbyjkcoy.
I typically give out some free copies of my books during launch to readers on my email list. So make sure you share this with friends that may be interested.
There is an accepted dialogue around birth in this country. Birth is scary, painful, unnatural, should unfold in a perfect pattern, and demands intervention.
It is time to share another story. Your Story.
This very minute, eight babies are being born in the U.S. – CDC
That’s almost 11,000 babies per day – yet when is the last time you heard anyone talking about natural childbirth in a positive context?
Mention a natural birth and people look at you like you must have suffered some horrible tragedy, or be some sort of a closet hippie. But I know that is not your story. You are an educated, modern woman.
There is an accepted dialogue around birth in this country. Birth is scary, painful, unnatural, should unfold in a perfect pattern, and it demands intervention.
That was the message I had received from society, and I accepted it. Anything less than a doctor, an epidural, and laboring on my back was venturing in to hippie territory. Until I got pregnant myself.
The more I learned, the more I felt conflicted. Everything I thought I knew about birth seemed questionable. It no longer felt like these accepted interventions were in the best interest of the woman. It felt like natural child birth should actually be the starting point for the birth discussion, instead of the option viewed as what crazy, uneducated, poverty-stricken, or careless women chose to do.
I’ve had two unmediated, hospital births in the last two years.
Natural birth doesn’t have to be scary or crunchy.
It’s unfortunate that Ina May’s Childbirth book is still one of the only resources being passed around on natural birth. I love it too, but a book about natural birth on a hippy commune in rural Tennessee isn’t going to resonate with most women.
We need to extend positive birth stories to all women, even those that do not think they want a natural birth. They should know it is a realistic option. It is the most noninvasive form of childbirth possible, and allows women to avoid many negative or unnecessary interventions. It can be very empowering. Most often it is a healthy and safe option for the mama and her baby. And, it’s not some reckless, crazy act reserved for those that love self torture.
Today the U.S. cesarean rate is 31.9%. How has our society convinced women to casually agree to major surgery, without strongly considering that their body is equipped for birth? Medical intervention is an amazing option when needed, but it should not be the norm that women are routinely encouraged toward.
Sharing my experiences will never be enough. There is power in numbers.
For most women, having their eyes opened to alternative birth options, and believing that they are capable of achieving them, are different. All of the self-education in the world likely won’t convince a woman that natural birth may be for her.
It’s the stories of women that have achieved a natural birth, and are just like them, that will make them think maybe, just maybe, it’s possible for them too.
All we can do is plant seeds of belief in other women. If we show them that we have been there and we believe they can do it too, it can make all the difference in their world.
Women need to read many empowering stories to begin to change the birth monologues that society has ingrained in their minds. By sharing a collaboration of natural birth experiences, we can show women that not all childbirth is the crazy shit show that we been taught to fear.
If you have a passion for sharing this message and have always wanted to see your story published in a best-selling book, this is your chance.
Are you ready to change the message around childbirth?
It’s time to share another story. Your Story.
The program kicks off in the next thirty days.Message me for details. Just put the words: Natural Birth – Your Name – Your Email in the message and I’ll get back to you within 24hrs.
You will receive story coaching from an Amazon best-selling author, deadlines to keep you committed, professional editing services, your birth story featured in a book, and marketing materials to share the amazing news that you are now a published author!
I know you have objections, but your story is too important. Let’s do this together!
**FYI, I am currently closed to submissions at this time. Please follow the blog for updates on the release of the current book, and when I will be accepting new clients/stories**
I’ve got a matter of minutes before my baby awakes from her magical slumber and turns in to a salivating little monster in search of THE MILK.
My Mom is the Worst 