Time to get positive

Recently I was told that a blog post I had written was rather negative, and it wasn't an unfair comment.  So I thought that I would write something more positive.  Of course much happened between then and now and I was spurred into writing about the plight of a local birthing centre.  That wasn't full of positives, but included positive births.  So now... well I absolutely have to share that there is something amazing that is happening.  There is a grass roots movement to offer positivity about childbirth.  Yes!  About childbirth and it's via a global network of free Positive Birth groups, linked up by social media.

I adore social media.  All of it.  It's such an amazing resource.  It enabled me to link up with Empowered Papa, Joe Valley via twitter.  We chatted last night on his blog radio.  It was great fun.  We've been chatting for over a year now and talking to Joe fills me with joy.  I love hearing his passion for dads and how he wants to know all about dads and their role within childbirth as well as parenting.  It seems a simple thing, but I like simple things.

So... why positive birth?  Well why not?  There is so much negative out there.  You only need to turn on the television to see scared, screaming women.  One Born Every Minute anyone?  Then there's the press.  How did you read that article?  Did it fill you with hope or with fear?  To date the best, fictional, tv birth that I've seen had the gorgeous Chizzy Akudolu, who plays Mo Effanga in Holby City in the role of the birthing mother.  There was no screaming, but it wasn't plain sailing.  She birthed standing up.  I stood and cheered when I saw it.  Yes!!!!  Finally, a fictional birth that looked like births I have seen.  My daughter's friend is here this evening.  He asked what I did and when I explained he said "You must get your hand squeezed tight while they scream".  This is birth to a 19 year old boy.  Hand squeezing and screaming.

When I meet with my ladies for the first time, I tell them... try not to let people tell you their birth stories until you have your own to share, because people seem to love to share the horror stories.  Find the positive birth stories.  Listen to them.  And here, to my absolute joy and delight is someone who has has that same thought and turned it into a new birth movement (yes, I know... it shouldn't be new, but in this current climate, it is).  I could go on and on (stop it at the back... I can see you), but I won't.  I shall let The Positive Birth Movement speak for itself.   

Description

We are a grass roots movement, spreading positivity about childbirth via a global network of free Positive Birth groups, linked up by social media.

We aim to challenge the current epidemic of negativity around childbirth by bringing women together to -

Meet Up, Link Up, and Shake Up Birth.

Meet Up - Free, and local to you, find information about regular Positive Birth groups, gatherings and meetings.

Link Up - Join our larger groups in cyberspace to build a global network of shared expertise, power and positivity.

Shake Up - Challenge the culture of fear that surrounds birth, and empower women to approach birth differently.

Here's how to get involved:

If you are Pregnant...
Find your nearest Positive Birth Group -
http://www.positivebirthmovement.org/find-a-positive-birth-group.html

If you are a Doula, Midwife, Birth Worker or just passionate about Positive Birth...
Set up a Positive Birth Group -
http://www.positivebirthmovement.org/set-up-a-positive-birth-group.html
Add an existing birth discussion group to our growing network -
http://www.positivebirthmovement.org/add-an-existing-group.html

Either way...
Join us on Facebook
www.facebook.com/positivebirthmovement
Join us on Twitter
www.twitter.com/birthpositive

And shake up childbirth!


Please send any enquiries, helpful information or suggestions to milli@birthinsight.co.uk

Why not join in and let's see this grow.