- I am stronger than you think I am
- I refuse to allow myself to be abused during labor again
- I am healthy
- My baby is healthy
- Pregnancy is NOT a disease or illness
- Birth is a normal physiological process, not a medical emergency
- I am prepared for the worst, but will not expect the worst with no reason to
- I deserve to be comfortable
- I deserve privacy
- I deserve respect
- My baby deserves to be born into a calm environment
- My baby deserves to not be taken from mommy
- The pain is more manageable at home
- Intimacy between myself and my husband matters during birth
- I will not endure harassment, coercion, and disrespect in labor again
- I am stronger than I think I am
- I want my husband’s hands to be the first to touch our son
- I want to eat, walk, drink, and rest as I feel lead
- I believe my health and safety is at risk the moment I walk into an ER with a healthy body and normal pregnancy
- I am sick and tired of cervical checks
- I cannot stand those (not evidence-based) fetal monitor bands across my belly
- I do not want anyone telling me what to do with my body
- It will be powerful, difficult, life-changing and beautiful
- I know what is best for my baby, and would always put his health before mine
- I am sick and tired of defending myself against unwanted medical procedures
- Birth is not scary!
- 1 out of 3 women get major surgery, that is too high of a risk for me
- Most routine practices in American hospitals are NOT evidence-based medicine
- America’s maternal death rates are *rising*
- Peace instead of PTSD
recovering motherhood 