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I promised to share Azuri’s birth story:
I never used the “I don’t like this” button before this pregnancy, but this time I blocked any negative birth or pregnancy content.
My heart goes out to those experiences, but I had a clear outcome in mind — a natural, unmedicated, metaphysical vaginal birth. & I wanted to guard my gates accordingly. I also educated myself on my personal fears (VBAC).
That led me to the “birth as ceremony” side of the internet, and it resonated deeply.
@wavework.birthing @mommamadeline @thevbaclink
I trained my mind in the truth that our bodies are made for birth, that interventions can pull you out of the physiological state that supports less painful births, and that God has the final say.
With Lennon, I knew some of this but I didn’t trust myself enough to advocate. I couldn’t afford a doula or midwife, and I didn’t want stress, so I went in with a “whatever happens, happens” mindset.
And I got pulled into the river of intervention:
“Labor is taking too long.” → Pitocin
“Strong contractions?” → Epidural
“Can’t move, labor stalling?” → Emergency C-section
This time, I trusted myself. And I leaned on
@amairejohnson when I needed support.
I brought a painting by
@cesar_does_it of me as a warrior mom breastfeeding Lennon — something to anchor me in my strength if I forgot.
I wanted to avoid a hospital birth (God willing)… and a Black-owned birth center manifested minutes from my house.
After days of early labor at home, my water broke. At a beautiful birth center in the middle of the night I breathed, prayed, lost time, swayed, arms raised, even napped on the toilet lol.
And right when I thought I couldn’t do it anymore… I pushed out a whole baby.
She was healthy, had all her fingers, toes, wits, senses — I ugly cried out of relief.
I had the birth I prayed for: beautiful atmosphere, supportive midwives and doula, minimal pain, no tearing.
I’m beyond grateful. 🥲❤️🎀
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TLDR: natural, unmedicated, metaphysical VBAC. Healthy baby. No tearing. Black-owned birth center.
