This month has been a heavy month. We have talked a lot about fear and anxiety and trauma around childbirth, and today I want to provide some hope in all of this. Today, I am sharing the story of a young girl and her transformation.
** The Power of Birth
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I received a referral for a pregnant teen. I set up our first appointment, and when I got to her house, I was greeted warmly by her mother. As we sat together, I asked her to tell me about herself. She opened the conversation by telling me that she had been sexually abused followed by rape a few years earlier. She had subsequently had a boyfriend and ended up pregnant, but they had broken up because of the pregnancy. She planned to keep her baby and raise the baby with her mother’s help.
Timidly, she expressed that she really wanted a natural birth, but she was afraid. The memory of being raped was so vivid she was sure labor and birth would trigger horrific feelings for her, and she didn’t know if she could go through with what she really wanted. I listened, asking a few clarifying questions. Her mother remained present with us for the conversation, and I noticed that she was anxious and worried about her daughter.
I met with this young woman a couple more times before waiting for the birth call. In our conversations together, I saw her desire to heal from her past experience through the process of giving birth to her baby. She was scared, but she trusted me and she trusted her intuition.
When labor started, we all met together at the hospital. She was admitted, and her mother and aunt were both with her for companionship and support. During the first part of her labor, she worked with her contractions, but as they strengthened and intensified, she began to pull back from them. Her mother became more agitated, and the energy in the room tightened.
During a particularly strong contraction, she said, “I can’t do this, I don’t want this.”
I looked at her face and saw raw fear. Her mother saw it too, but didn’t know what it was. I quietly stepped to the nurse. I mentioned that the girl had experienced a sexual trauma and that if I could have just a couple of contractions with only her and I and no one else in the room, I could bring her back to the present. The nurse recognized the nervous and anxious energy the mother and aunt were bringing and agreed to ask them to leave. The nurse also stepped out but continued to respectfully and silently observe us.
I went to the young mother and placed my hands gently on her. I asked her to look at me, and she made eye contact with me. I gently explained to her that this was the moment she had been most afraid of, and that this was not her rapist, but was her baby, the baby she desperately wanted. I reminded her that she had told me that she wanted a natural birth, and that she knew it would be terrifying, but that if she kept her eyes locked on mine, we would do this one contraction at a time.
I put my hands on her shoulders, and she put her hands on mine, and we breathed together through each contraction. I guided her through visualizations of her baby. I had her recognize the sensation of the baby’s head making contact with her and pushing down and out instead of forcing in and up. I whispered her baby’s name to her and had her say it back to me. I encouraged her to talk to her baby through and between contractions, personifying her baby to her and helping her associate her physical sensations with birth.
When I asked the nurse for support to ask everyone to leave, she was just beginning transition, between 6 and 7 centimeters dilated. She and I were so strongly connected that neither of us knew how much time passed, or anything else that happened around us. It was just her and I.
Somewhere in there, the nurse was watching and quietly performed her checks without disturbing either of us. When she was ready to push, the beautiful nurse somehow managed to convey to the birth team what was going on, and they were respectful of the birthing space we had moved into. The girl gave birth quickly and easily, and as she reached for her baby she cried. She glowed with relief and transformation.
When I went to her house for my visit with her after the baby was born, she told me that she felt she could do anything. She shared with me how she had felt so much pain leading up to the moment that I connected with her, and that for the rest of the labor, she felt only power and no pain.
** The Wisdom Born of Pain
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That particular birth experience has never left me. She taught me so much about what creates or dispels pain (fear) and how strong women are. One of my favorite songs is “I am WOMAN” by Tribe: (https://youtu.be/wegZPAYtp_w?si=b9wHULQOabpd3hzp)
I am woman, hear me roar
In numbers too big to ignore
And I know too much to go back an’ pretend
‘Cause I’ve heard it all before
And I’ve been down there on the floor
No one’s ever gonna keep me down again
Oh yes, I am wise
But it’s wisdom born of pain
Yes, I’ve paid the price
But look how much I gained
If I have to, I can do anything
I am strong
I am invincible
I am woman
You can bend but never break me
‘Cause it only serves to make me
More determined to achieve my final goal
And I come back even stronger
Not a novice any longer
‘Cause you’ve deepened the conviction in my soul
Our bodies are designed to give birth. In the same way that intercourse can be painful or pleasurable, so can birth. Our bodies aren’t broken, we are healing. Healing is an individual process, but the first step is acknowledgement. I see you. I know you. I am listening.
** Connection
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If you want to hear more of these conversations on how our bodies remember what our minds try to forget, I invite you to listen to a recent radio show episode I was featured on. We explored how trapped emotional energy can manifest as physical struggles and how we can clear those blockages to rediscover inner knowing. You can check out the recording on Substack: Mind, Body, Soul Radio Feature. (https://open.substack.com/pub/restorativehealththerapies/p/mind-body-soul-radio-2c4?r=89nvof&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web)
I am also incredibly honored to be part of Flourish Together (https://www.clearedtoflourish.com/flourishtogether) , a vibrant community of local area wellness businesses coming together all month long for Mental Health Awareness. I encourage you to review their listing of events and become familiar with the many organizations that are here to support you.
As part of this initiative, I will be presenting this coming week on May 26th at the Wellbeing Product & Service Showcase (https://twoheartshealing.info/events/flourish-together-wellbeing-product-service-showcase/) at A Place Above the Notch in Bethlehem alongside five other wonderful local businesses.
Mind Body Soul Radio by Meggen Wright
Episode 31 – Today is the continuation of Mental Health Awareness Month. The topic is: The Healing Heartbeat: Releasing Emotional Baggage for a Fearless Birth.
Read on Substack (https://restorativehealththerapies.substack.com/p/mind-body-soul-radio-2c4)
** Out and About in the Community
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Healing doesn’t just happen in the birth room; it also happens when we gather, share our spaces, and show up for one another. Whether you are looking for a safe, comfortable spot to feed your little one, curious to experience a live demonstration of what energy medicine can do, or ready to support vital maternal health initiatives in our rural networks, I would love to see you.
Here is where you can find me over the next few weeks:
* May 26 | Service Showcase: Mini-demos and presentations at A Place Above the Notch (https://www.theplaceabovethenotch.com/) , 2061 Main St, Bethlehem, 5 pm – 6:30 pm. Information (https://twoheartshealing.info/events/flourish-together-wellbeing-product-service-showcase/)
* May 30 | Good Grief 5K: Supporting Empty Arms VT (https://www.emptyarmsvermont.org/) for pregnancy and infant loss awareness.Register here (https://runsignup.com/Race/VT/SouthBurlington/EmptyArmsVT5K)
* June 9 | Finding Traction in Mud Season: I will be a featured presenter at the North Country Health Consortium’s virtual symposium,Finding Traction: Innovations in Practice & Whole-Person Wellness. (https://nchcnh.org/events.php) (note the website link still lists the original date, but June 9 is correct). My interactive workshop, The Mother’s Heart: An Integrated Approach to Trauma-Informed Perinatal Wellness, bridges the gap between traditional obstetric care and holistic energy medicine. We will explore how non-medical emotional advocacy serves as a critical pillar of trauma-informed care, and I will lead a live demonstration of bio-energetic muscle testing to show how the body stores and releases emotional blockages. Email [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]?subject=Finding%20Traction%20in%20Mud%20Season&body=) to learn more.
* June 9/10 | NH Gives to WOMB Initiative: I will be monitoring donations throughout the day on the 10th. We welcome your support. Click here to donate (https://mtyc.co/t95tbf) .
* June 16 | Peer to Peer Learning Series: Beginning June 16 through July 7, I am offering a Peer to Peer Learning Series: Birth Trauma Witnessing & Support (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/trauma-informed-peer-support-series-for-birthworkers-tickets-1990203507265?aff=oddtdtcreator) . This is a virtual, 4-week intensive designed specifically for perinatal birth workers (doulas, midwives, nurses, OBs, and mental health professionals) who are holding space for clients with fear or trauma around their birthing experiences. Over four Tuesdays from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, we will dive deep into the power of presence, neurobiology of trauma, and preventing secondary burnout so you can sustain this heartwork. You can find more details and secure your spot on the website: Two Hearts Healing Upcoming Events. (https://twoheartshealing.info/events/trauma-informed-peer-support-series-for-birthworkers/)
** Expanding the Circle: A Referral Opportunity
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As we look toward the end of May, I want to keep expanding this circle of support for mamas who are quietly carrying heavy fears. This is our final push for the Referral Competition, and the winner will be announced in the next week!
How it works: If you know a mama who is struggling—whether she is pregnant and anxious, or postpartum and feeling the weight of a difficult birth—refer her to my website for a free 15-minute Discovery Call (http://www.twoheartshealing.info) . When she books her call, ask her to put your name in the “How did you hear about me?” box. For every person you refer who books a call, you will get an entry into a drawing to win a full Rooted In Motherhood (https://twoheartshealing.info/services/) package (a $450 value). I will announce the winner on May 30th.
You can direct them to the main site atwww.twoheartshealing.info, or, if you are speaking with professionals (midwives or doctors) about birth trauma, you can share the specialized portal at www.birth-trauma.info.
** Taking the First Step Together
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You don’t have to navigate alone. If you feel like you are struggling to find your place or dissolve the anxiety in your motherhood journey, let’s start with a simple, quiet connection.
I offer a 15-minute Discovery Call (https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=33984276&appointmentType=70964149) —a completely free, no-pressure space dedicated entirely to you. It is a moment for us to pause together and see if our hearts are a good match for your healing journey.
What to expect in our 15 minutes:
* Your Story: I want to hear what you need most right now. Whether it’s about your family life, your daily work, or the message your body is sending you, I am here to listen.
* Connection: I’ll share how the Body Code and my professional expertise can specifically support your unique situation.
* Moving Forward: If it feels like a “yes” in your heart, we’ll talk about the next steps to get you back to feeling like yourself again.
You don’t have to figure out the whole path at once. Today is for taking the first step.
Free Discovery Call (https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=33984276&appointmentType=70964149)