I was talking to someone about 'birth disappointment' the other day, and was told "women should not have such high expectations! Honestly women these days are just so fragile".  I took a deep breath before responding. If a healthy woman is expecting a 'normal birth' that is not a high expectation.  That is a reasonable and minimal expectation.  It is not 'fragile' to be disappointed by a birth that does not met this expectation.  For women to lower their expectations of birth, to the reality of the current birth climate, would set a new (horribly) low benchmark.  Along with "all that matters is a healthy baby" these comments tell us that women do not matter. First Class Maternity Care - it's a political choice (first class care should be the MINIMUM we expect!).  

You see...this birth disappointment may just be putting new mothers at greater risk of Post Natal Anxiety and ​Depression (1).   They begin their mothering journey full of self-doubt, and uncertainty. This can then be compounded by a mothering reality that does not meet their expectations.

Kim Lock is the author of three novels, and is currently working on her fourth.  She is a long time advocate of women's rights - particularly in breastfeeding.
Explore more about Kim on her author website (with links to her editorial writing), or rare-to-post but very awesome blog and her facebook page.  Send her some love, buy her awesome books and tell her I sent you!

What follows, Kim originally wrote as a facebook post. It is shared here, with permission.  Thank you Kim - your words are wise and need to be spread far and wide!

Are you expecting a baby?

Are you being asked “what do you need?”, “what can I get you?”
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