Question

For all eternity, God lies on a birthing bed, giving birth. The essence of God is Birthing. ~Meister Eckhart 

Several sections of chapter 12 made me stop and do some soul searching

According to Betsy Stevenson, associate professor of business and public policy at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania: "Across the happiness data, the one thing in life that will make you less happy is having children" children are the destroyers of happiness? What is your definition of happiness and what was the biggest contributor?

 

What is the plight of the modern woman ability's to balance optimal care of herself and her family and her own career or accomplishments?

How comfortable to do feel or have felt about your ability to hurdle the birthing process? Did you employ a doula or midwife? Describe that experience. If you delivered in a hospital, did you take advantage of the birthing technologies (c-section, vacuum extraction, episiotomy, anesthesia, etc.) to ease labor and delivery?

Having a baby is the true "change of life." As one of Dr. Northrup's patients writes, "My births were absolute peak experiences of ecstasy and spiritual fulfillment. Nothing I've ever experienced before or since has come anywhere close. As a result of my experiences, I now trust my body implicitly." Did giving birth mimic an orgasmic experience for you? Is this truly the best kept secret?

Feel free to share your birth stories or stories of births you witnessed.