Two options emerged in a birthing ward,
And knowing I could not choose both
And as one to choose, long I stood
And considered one as far as I could
To where it might led and who it would benefit most;
Then took the other, with great care,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because I was informed, which is rare;
For the many who are passing there.
The paths to choose from are not the same,
One path would have me supine lay
Monitored and intervened with on my back.
I do not want to birth that way!
And knowing how way leads on to way,
I choose not to lay on my back.
I won’t be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two options emerged in a ward, and I—
I made my choice by knowing why,
And that has made all the difference.
Catherine Bell (2018)
The Birth Cartographer
author of The Birth Map: boldly going where no birth plan has gone before
inventor of The Game of Birth
provider of the Greatest member Area ever!
creator of www.birthmap.life The Home of Informed Birth Preparation