So I am chilling in Union Square, a place where all us grimy filthy rats don’t seem to bother me. I sit with joy on the grime soaked steps; what came to follow was a miracle. I saw Peggy Vincent across the way spinning on her head while smoking a j at the same time. This is when my interest in her turned into infatuation, so I decided to give her a heart felt praise about her book.
“Hey girrrrl! I loved your book, Baby Catcher. Your belief that "Childbirth is normal, until proven otherwise." and different for every women, inspired me. Your chronicle of being a mid-wife really made me realize the overwhelming percentage of un-natural childbirths that occur in America is oppressing women. This made me re-evaluate American culture for the ump-teenth time, further questioning how else we dis-empower women."
"OH SNAP, thanks! That means sooooo much to me! Gee-wilikeers, what was your favorite part?"
"Well I am currently up to the second third of the book where you are deliberating the impact of being a lone practicing mid-wife upon being a mother, and an array of different birthing stories. I find this part of the book further develops your beliefs stated in the first third of the book. For real though I found when your wrote, “I’d been avoiding the central point of intensity, staying on the brink of the primitive surrender that’s required to get a stubborn baby out. I’d talked hundreds of women into taking that leap of faith, that shut-your-eyes-and-jump moment of bravery. Like a girl standing on the high dive, walking back and forth the length of the board, shivering, going to the brink again to stare down into the water so far below—and then she’s off, airborne. Free. With sudden clarity, I knew it would have to hurt more before it got better. I wouldn’t be able to circumvent the pain. I had to go through it, enter willingly into the void, holding nothing back. I had to jump off the diving board.” (138) To be the climax of book! You really express the empowerment of women versus being in the back seat when you are describing the duties of your job. It really gave me a real sense of sisterhood. The understanding as to why women have the character we do, and why we can be so strong minded. Later you state ”The woman’s eyebrows had shot up when she heard me use the words “placenta” and “vagina” without whispering. Like many midwives, I’m inclined to discuss casually topics that most other people never hear mentioned outside of a doctors office.” (153) I found this to be great evidence to the fear and disapproval women have fostered of there own bodies. Sunning the organs, and life providers of our race. The fact that what makes us females, should be whispered so no one can hear. I found this sad and sickening but important to acknowledge. I find it similar to the fact that when one watches television and they are shooting those RIDICULOUS pad commercials, to prove the absorbency they drop water with blue food coloring, NOW why the heck isn't it red, like we all know it is?! Later you stated “I felt like offering drugs to a laboring woman sent a message that she wasn’t handling labor well, and I didn’t want to impose those feelings”(187) I found this to be the proof of how the institutions do not support our women, versus discourage them."
"But what could I have done to make this a better book - that would more effectively fulfill its mission?"
Well, let's be clear - your text sought to provide narratives, and a little journalistic/policy analysis from the perspective of a mid-wife for the book-reading-public to better understand pregnancy & birth in our culture. Given that aim, and your book, I would say; Give a more grueling image of birth, utterly describing every inch. To provide the reader of a clear image of what a baby looks like when crowning, I think such images would help the readers connect to the moment with depth. I would also attempt to avoid Cartoonzation of the issues, and situations. Lastly I would exaggerate the text a little less, a lot of the use of dialogue seems like cliché to simply convey your point. But I don't want you to feel like I'm criticizing. I really commemorate you for putting such labor into such an important topic FOR WOMEN, for making ME think about my capability as a women and the attitude I might have when giving birth. Your text really validated my instinctual desire to have a baby and I really question how my character might change during labor. I also find myself innately thinking of my animalistic intent every time I see a baby no matter where or how, I find myself thinking HOW CUTE, and observing women around me doing the same. The next question I‘ve been pondering in result of reading your text is why are we in such denial that we are animals? I feel that the rudimentary disapproval of natural childbirth, being “to posh to push” is the ultimate attempt to cover up our true, wild gory, strong, powerful traits. I also have come to the conclusion that Science is a religion. My conclusions from this came from the passages with the Christian Scientist. In result of reading your book I am trying to be more positive when it comes to my health, and attempting to shy away from seeking with passion and intensity for health issues, because it is simply leading me to find what I am seeking. I am also highly considering not visiting an oncologist unless absolutely necessary, I mean if they don’t support vaginal birth then why would they support me as a woman in there normal practice?"
"Thanks a lot young lady! You New Yorkers sure know what ya’gotta say. Have a nice day "
“THANK-YOU.. ADIOS”
And so I returned to my grime induced steps and merged into my imaginary pregnancy.
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