An Invitation to Birthing from Within Mothers: A Birth Poem

I came across this beautiful birth poem the other day, compiled and edited by a fellow Birthing from Within mentor named Juji Woodring. It really spoke to my heart.

Invitation to Birthing From Within Mothers

Juji Woodring, with thanks to Oriah Mountain Dreamer for inspiration

It doesn’t interest me how many prenatal books you’ve read,

I want to know if you hear your child whisper to you

when you lie awake at night.

 

It doesn’t interest me who you are

or where you came from,

I want to know if your authentic mother warrior will awaken

when you birth your baby with all that you have.

 

It doesn’t interest me if you have a birth plan

or where you plan to give birth.

I want to know that you will meet your birth

with an open mind and open heart.

I want to know if you can fully embrace the path

you must journey

to birth yourself as a mother.

 

It doesn’t interest me if you birth in silence

or as a lioness roars.

I want to know if you are willing to do

whatever it takes to birth your baby,

regardless of how you look,

how you sound,

or what others may think.

I want to know if you are willing to journey

to your depths and through the unknown.

 

It doesn’t interest me how many stitches you get,

I want to know how you are moving in your body.

I want to know if you can take each movement

of your achy dripping body

and know that it has done a marvelous, miraculous thing.

 

It doesn’t matter to me how you feed your baby.

I want to know if you are willing

to nurture your baby

from the depths of your soul and with

unconditional love.

 

I want to know if in the dark of night,

you can raise your tired bones and weary spirit

and do what needs to be done to care for your children

 

I want to know if you are willing to give up

your judges and ideals of a perfect parent

and surrender to your heart and belly

to love your baby until you ache.