'MY BIRTHING KIT' by Layla Tan

The Birthing Kit Foundation provides women with basic equipment in order to birth in clean conditions. Knowing that the physical environment is safe allows a birthing woman to concentrate her energy on the act of birth itself – which is undoubtedly one of the most powerful events in the exploration of womanhood.

A month ago I gave birth to Araluen, my boy was born at home on a night where rain poured down and the evening's pink sunset had promised a warm autumn morning for his first day out in the world. Our midwife was still on her way when Araluen popped into his Dad’s hands, his Nanna and Aye close by and his big sister sleeping soundly in the next room.

In the west birth has almost become a medicalised phenomenon. Often involving drug therapy, surgery, constant physical examinations and monitoring. For many women, birth has left natural and spiritual realms.

I’m fortunate enough to live amongst a community that supported my decision to have a homebirth and provided me with my own birthing kit, to birth fearlessly and safely.

My personal birthing kit was mostly made up of people. While preparing, I decided to have my partner, my mother, my aunt, two girlfriends and a midwife with me during the birth. I was lucky enough to be able to choose these support people and the roles they would play. But when it came to the actual birth, things happened so quickly (a 42 minute labour!!) that only my partner and Mum and Dad (who just happened to drop in) were there for the birth. As things turn out, I was so happy that it was these people who helped me bring Araluen into the world.

The other key element of my birthing kit was ceremony. A week before Araluen was born my partner and I celebrated the upcoming birth with special men’s and women’s ceremonies. With my home filled with the women in my life, I received blessings and the energy of my community, to enter the birthing process fearlessly. The love generated during these ceremonies transformed our home into a sacred birth space.

This birth was undoubtedly the most empowering experience of my life. Not because I birthed at home, without medical assistance or a professional attendant, but because being at home allowed me to connect to the birthing process spiritually and energetically in a safe physical environment.




Donate to the Birthing Kit Foundation today...
www.mycause.com.au/recyclingmymarieclaire