I have really struggled with this topic for quite some time now. During my pregnancy I almost felt this obligation to have a "natural" birth because that's what so many blogs and Pinterest posts said was the most safe and natural way for your body and your baby's. I found myself scared to have a baby because I was worried that I wouldn't be able to do it without an epidural and was worried about what people would think if I were to get one. I ended up getting an epidural with Payson because the pain I felt during my labor was the most intense pain in my life and I honestly felt like if I didn't get some relief I was physically going to DIE! I don't mean to talk about this to freak anyone out who may be pregnant or want to get pregnant, or even to make those who can't have children feel bad. I am bringing this up because I feel like our society, women in general, has a problem with feeling like there is a right and wrong way to give birth. After I had Payson I didn't feel regret for having an epidural because it gave me such relief and made it so much easier come time to push when it wore off again. BUT what I did feel was that I was inadequate, that I wasn't tough, that I didn't compare to those "super moms" who could have babies without any medication and what the world considers "natural" but I'm hear to tell you that whether your child came out vaginally or C-section, whether you had an epidural or didn't have an epidural ALL BABIES ARE NATURAL! Payson wasn't suddenly some artificial baby because I chose to be medicated during labor. And that's kind of the point I wanted to make today. We shouldn't put so much emphasis on how the baby comes, but just all feel like SUPER WOMEN because we gave birth! I'm sure I'll still have thoughts of inadequacy occasionally when I see a friend post a picture of their new baby saying they had them without medication, but I'm now realizing that I shouldn't feel that way. Satan puts those thoughts into our head to make us feel worthless. We are all daughters of God whether we can have kids, can't have kids, or the process by which we had those children. At the end of the day we all walk away with a beautiful baby sent from heaven. So let's stop comparing, stop thinking we know best, and realize that every person is different and that's okay! Get out there and uplift and encourage one another. You are ALL strong Mommas! <3
*Photography by Ashley Ludlow*
