A Bit of History

I am one of five children- all birthed at home. I was born in the summer of 1985 on the lounge room floor of our Sydney north shore home. For Mum I was baby number two.

Homebirth has been a pretty significant part of my life. I remember waking up the night my mother went into labour with my brother. I was ushered back to bed but in the morning I was proud to announce to my siblings that our baby had been born and we snuck a peak into the bedroom where Mum and our baby brother were fast asleep.

Our youngest brother was born when I was twelve. Being there for the birth was amazing. My brother was an unexpected breech, not even the midwife suspected it until his bottom presented first. I’m so lucky that I go to experience my mother’s pregnancy and birth for what it is and what it should be- a natural process free from fear and unnecessary medical intervention. I believe that doctors and hospitals have a place-a very important and possibly life saving place- but not for women with low risk pregnancies. Doctors induce so much fear around pregnancy and actually cause a whole lot of complications that could be avoided if the woman was in a supported, comfortable and safe environment where she felt empowered and was encouraged to trust in her body.

I became pregnant when I was 21. It wasn’t exactly planned but I was more than ready to become a mother. I have been lucky enough to have a very supportive (now) husband who supported my wish for a pregnancy and birth free from medical intervention. I practiced yoga everyday throughout my pregnancy and made sure I ate really well and listened to my body’s needs. After a five-and-a-half hour labour I gave birth to our daughter (on her due date) in a birthing pool in the bedroom of our little unit by the ocean in Adelaide. Dave and I had the support of an amazing midwife and well as my amazing mother and mother-in-law and I am happy to say that it was a beautiful experience.

Growing up, we were always different. Both my parents are health conscious and chose to bring my siblings and I up as vegetarians. As a child I just accepted that this was how we lived (as all children do) so it wasn’t until I hit my teens that I really started to think about what being a vegetarian meant and really believing that this was what I wanted to continue to support for the world and my body.

I spent a year living in a caravan by the sea when I was 20 and during that time I did a lot of reading. It was then that I decided to become vegan. I was vegan for five years- a period that includes when I was pregnant and breast fed my daughter. I would whole heartedly continue to be vegan if it wasn’t for being diagnosed with Coeliacs disease and developing an intolerance to several other foods- one of which is soy. Eating just became too hard and not very fun. The decision to go back to being a vegetarian was a tough one but I believe it was necessary for my health. I’ve never eaten eggs and these days I try to buy only organic dairy as this is better for myself and my family’s health and it is better for the animals involved and our earth.

I grew up in a very creative family. My dad is an artist and musician and my mum has always made clothes and taught us to crochet and sew and to be creative in general. I consider myself pretty lucky to have been exposed to such wonderful things in my childhood because it’s those years that shape your life forever.

I finally completed my university degree at the end of 2011 and am now a qualified Primary School teacher. I also completed my yoga teacher training at the end of 2011 and I specialise in pre- and post-natal yoga and yoga for infants, children and teens. I am looking forward to drawing upon my knowledge and past experiences of pregnancy, birth, parenting, yoga, food, and all things creative as I go through my pregnancy and birth the second time round.