Quite some time ago I realized that Birth Without Fear was doing a meeting in Richmond, Virginia. I was beyond excited because Richmond is only about 2 hours from me. I was shocked that they were even doing a meet up there. Sometimes it feels like absolutely nothing is going on in Virginia but not this time! I put out some feelers in my “Crunchy Moms” group of who else would want to go, got a taker and we headed off to Richmond the day of the meet up. Just us Mamas and our girls!
As soon as we got there we knew we were in the right place tons of pregnant and babywearing moms. The first thing we did was register where we bot got our Birth Without Fear BabyHawk Mei Tais.
While I have a million baby carriers it seems and have owned quite a few Mei Tais I’ve never had a BabyHawk. I’m impressed and absolutely love it. I thought I may sell it but I’ve totally changed my mind, I’m keeping it! Plus it says Birth Without Fear on it! How could I not?!
There were quite a few vendors there including Latched Mama who makes comfortable nursing clothes. I got an adorable Mint top from her and have already worn it once or twice.
We visited the vendors and then sat down to listen to January share her FIVE very different birth stories.
I don’t want to get in to details I feel like that’s something January really only shares at the meet ups but suffice it to say that they were inspiring. They were all types of births. C-section, unsuccessful VBAC turned repeat c-section, VBAC after two cesareans. Unassisted.
And the take home? Take the reigns. Prepare for the unexpected. Prepare for the best case scenario. Prepare for the worst case scenario. Be INFORMED. Do what’s best for YOUR family.
After we listened to January’s stories broke for lunch. When we came back we had to go to our assigned tables (we had a number on the back). And there we had to write in the sand something that we needed and wanted to “let go of”. Everyone’s story was different but they all had common denominators. They were all stories involving our journey to and through motherhood. I shared about Elena, pPROM, Loss and PgAL. It felt good to get it out. Tell strangers about Elena without it being super weird. On our tables there were these cards
Afterwards we wrapped string around each out our wrists in one giant circle and then we cut them and made harmony bracelets. I did a bead for each of my babies.
Once that portion was over it was time to visit with the vendors and do a meet and greet with January.
It was so nice to meet her. She’s been so inspiring to the birth community. People like January are changing things for women. It feels like I met a celebrity! They’re helping women be informed. They’re encouraging and supporting women’s rights and most of all they’re reminding us of this.
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