“Birth is not only about making babies. Birth is about making mothers — strong, competent, capable mothers who trust themselves and know their inner strength."
—Barbara Katz Rothman
—Barbara Katz Rothman
Studies have shown that giving birth can be more physically taxing than running a marathon. Most people who run a marathon have typically spent months of training, perfecting their race-day diet and routines, knowing exactly what distance they’ll run and a general idea of their expected results. However, mothers in labor begin their ultra-endurance athletic event without any such guaranteed course map, distance, or even outcomes. Childbirth can be the most unpredictable of major life events - with arguably the most cherished prizes - and still requires incredible energy, flexibility, mental fortitude, and physical strength, and that is why its participants should be considered Sheroes among us.
Judith* is exactly that - a true Shero among us, who gave birth under the extraordinary circumstances of pandemic and personal challenges, and has come out stronger and more courageous than could be imagined.
Although Judith had given birth three years ago in the United States, 2020 was a different environment all together - a completely new terrain, with unclear rules that changed constantly, and with a serious, scary threat to every person’s health. Yet the strength required to give birth remained and arguably intensified because of all these factors.
When Judith went into labor last fall, in the midst of this uncertain environment, she was home with only her preschooler by her side; her partner was in Africa, unable to join her. Yet she faced this challenge with courage and faith as only a mother could. She trusted herself, drew from her own inner strength, and began to face each contraction with determination to see it through, one at a time. Thankfully, Judith’s labor course was short this time around, and she gave birth in her own home as it were, with an Embrace team member by her side before an ambulance could arrive for transportation to the hospital. In witnessing Judith give birth this way, Heidi Copeland says, “Judith clearly drew from an inner well of strength as she delivered her baby that day. It was such a joy and privilege to get to witness such incredible power and grace in the work of bringing new life into the world.”
Our Shero, Judith, shares some words of wisdom to other people running the race of their lives:
“Of the things that keeps me going - one of them is determination... I know that there are other people that have been through worse than I have been through, I know that, but I am determined that nothing is gonna stop me pushing. So, in life I guess every woman has to be determined…
“And also I believe that I have a brighter future ahead of me. I know that. I strongly believe that. Those are some of the reasons that make me to be really strong and courageous, but God is the overall or the center of it all, He keeps me going because it’s actually not by my strength - neither by my wisdom or not even anything that I’m getting or any support or whatever - but I believe it is God that is keeping me going.”
Judith, thank you for your determination, inner strength, and courage, and for sharing it with us at Embrace. You are a Shero among us! Happy Mother’s Day!
*Name changed for privacy reasons
** Photo credit to Kurt Rosenhauer
Judith* is exactly that - a true Shero among us, who gave birth under the extraordinary circumstances of pandemic and personal challenges, and has come out stronger and more courageous than could be imagined.
Although Judith had given birth three years ago in the United States, 2020 was a different environment all together - a completely new terrain, with unclear rules that changed constantly, and with a serious, scary threat to every person’s health. Yet the strength required to give birth remained and arguably intensified because of all these factors.
When Judith went into labor last fall, in the midst of this uncertain environment, she was home with only her preschooler by her side; her partner was in Africa, unable to join her. Yet she faced this challenge with courage and faith as only a mother could. She trusted herself, drew from her own inner strength, and began to face each contraction with determination to see it through, one at a time. Thankfully, Judith’s labor course was short this time around, and she gave birth in her own home as it were, with an Embrace team member by her side before an ambulance could arrive for transportation to the hospital. In witnessing Judith give birth this way, Heidi Copeland says, “Judith clearly drew from an inner well of strength as she delivered her baby that day. It was such a joy and privilege to get to witness such incredible power and grace in the work of bringing new life into the world.”
Our Shero, Judith, shares some words of wisdom to other people running the race of their lives:
“Of the things that keeps me going - one of them is determination... I know that there are other people that have been through worse than I have been through, I know that, but I am determined that nothing is gonna stop me pushing. So, in life I guess every woman has to be determined…
“And also I believe that I have a brighter future ahead of me. I know that. I strongly believe that. Those are some of the reasons that make me to be really strong and courageous, but God is the overall or the center of it all, He keeps me going because it’s actually not by my strength - neither by my wisdom or not even anything that I’m getting or any support or whatever - but I believe it is God that is keeping me going.”
Judith, thank you for your determination, inner strength, and courage, and for sharing it with us at Embrace. You are a Shero among us! Happy Mother’s Day!
*Name changed for privacy reasons
** Photo credit to Kurt Rosenhauer
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