Birth…

Overview

"together we climb the mountain because I climb this mountain for you together we wade through the river together we shelter in the trees gathered with my support crew or standing solo exuding the theatrics of the stage or in the quiet Zen of retreat I unravel myself open myself surrender myself to this bold and broad and astonishing experience that will release you my child into the world and will forge my will my heart my being into the wild depths of motherhood" Held in the story of Persephone, we start where all women now begin their birth journey—with Zeus, in the structure of patriarchy. Then we move beyond, through the supportive hold of mother Demeter, then further into ourselves until we find the unique wonder of woman, through courage, strength, and surrender, to the breath and calm and ecstasy she can hold. Written from the embodied experience of home birth mother and GP obstetrician, offering pregnant women and birth attendants insights into the hospital system, and the beauty that can be found in natural birthing.

Reviews

"Veronica Moule skilfully weaves her poetic magic with art, myth and medicine to guide birthing women and their caregivers on this wild journey." —Sarah Buckley, Physician , birth worker, mother and wise woman "This book is so much more than a collection of poems, it's a doctor talking and a mother talking, about her fight against the system she works within, fighting for women's rights for a physiological birth.Veronica's mythopoetic language and the ancient stories she draws from, highlight the patriarchal journey that birth has gone on, to a place of control rather than trust. She takes us on a journey from exultation and love, to loss and grief and everything in between." —Jane Hardwicke Collings, Midwife

Author Biography

Dr. Veronica Moule MBBS (Hons) DRANZCOG FRACGP Grad Cert Integrative Med, is a GP Obstetrician working for over 25 years in rural Australia, providing medical care in childbirth, acute and chronic illness, palliative care and wellness, with generations of families. Veronica listens deeply to each woman, guiding her to connect with all that labour and birth brings, and honours the profound moment of the first meeting of mother and child. She is the mother of four sons, all born at home.