The year was 2005.
It began in the wake of the boxing day Tsunami and an apology from Prince Harry for dressing up as a Nazi. And Charles announcing he would marry Camilla. The Airbus made its maiden flight, and Pope John Paul II died. Kylie had to cancel her tour due to cancer and London was rocked by a terrorist attack. A space shuttle landed safely, but 120 people died in a plane crash near Athens. Katrina struck New Orleans.
It was also the year Britney Spears wore this shirt
(at the premiere of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory).
This was the year before I received my own long awaited golden ticket. Like Charlie Bucket, I had hope and innocence and this image had me sighing the heavy sighs that only can only be sighed by one who has a great longing in their heart.
And I was longing, greatly, to have that ticket. I wanted to feel the arms of my own child wrapped around my neck, to hold a baby to my breast and nourish and nurture in motherly bliss. I wanted to be a Mum. And everyone except me seemed to have a chance. It would be another year before I got my glorious golden ticket.
Finally, becoming pregnant was like gaining access to the chocolate factory. The gates opened to a magical and mysterious world, there were many strange and wonderous options to try inside. And as I soon discovered… secrets were held close and the tour guide had an undisclosed agenda, and a factory is a factory – no matter how it’s decorated.
I created birthmap.life because I did not want those who came after me to enter the factory without knowing what was real and what was pretend. I know it is kind of like learning Santa isn’t real, some of the magic is lost, but we are not children and becoming a Mother is wonderous enough without sugar coating it.
When a Baby is born, so too is a mother. The transition into mother requires guidance, support and love.
There is no one way, but there is Your Way. I give you The Map, you determine the pathways. Be heard, Be seen, BE RESPECTED.
It is possible to Birth with Dignity.
Informed. Supported. Confident.