Birthing Artist: Catie Atkinson

There is no doubt that I am a visual creature. One of my tips to a sucessful birth is to visualize it happening. I've read that this is one of the "Law of Attraction" tools used by winning Olympic athletes. 

"The ability to see things before they actually happen is what enables us to pursue our dreams and ultimately achieve them. In fact, the better we visualize the future we want, the better our chances to make it happen."

-How To Develop Your Visualization Skills, read more here

Thanks to Catie Atkinson, a bohemian artist I found on the web who's works I deeply resonate with, I was able to gaze positive and inspiring images throughout my pregnancy in preparation for Maya's birth. I connected with her recently and I'd like to share with you my Q&A with her :) 

Monica: Your images have hugely inspired my pregnancy and birth. Thank you for that! I was successful in my VBAC home waterbirth that was unassisted (by accident) because I would stare at your beautiful works on Instagram! 

Catie: Aw- I'm so flattered! You don't know how much it means to me to hear that my art helped guide you on your birthing journey. 

Monica: How many children do you have? I ask because you seem to have so much experience for all your pregnancy and birthing artworks! 

Catie: I have two boys- both of them were born at home with the assistance of a wonderful midwife. I'm neither a doula nor a midwife, but my dream is to become both, once my children are older. For now, I just satisfy my passion for birth through art. 

Monica: What is the process of your work? How do you come up with such beautiful images? They're just so raw, so real, as if you capture something that actually was happening to you or someone else at that moment.

Catie:  Many times, images just come to me. I'll "see" a mama in my mind and she won't disappear until I get her down on paper. I have stacks of sketches that I haven't found the time to complete! I also find inspiration in photos of pregnancy and birth (there are some wonderful IG feeds full of raw, beautiful images of pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding, and motherhood.)

Monica: As I skim through your IG I see that you call your home "earthship" and use many recycled materials? Where do you live and how do you live "sustainably" I don't presume you are off the grid because you have Internet access? (Curious because I used to live on a farm myself out in the province/paradise)

Catie: We live part of the year in New Mexico (in a traditional adobe house, but with all the modern conveniences) and part of the year in Peru, where we'll be building our house this year. Our house will be completely off grid, with a grey water system, solar panels for electricity, and built from sustainable local resources. We're so excited to finally begin this adventure that we've dreamed about for years!


                                   

Monica: So just tell me more about yourself and why do you do the things you do aside from inspire other moms? I love your work so much!

Catie: For as long as I can remember, I've been captivated by pregnancy and birth. I find the pregnant body amazingly beautiful and have always been in awe of the power of the female body. After my older son was born, I became passionate about birth and reclaiming our power as women and mothers . There's incredible fear surrounding birth in our society-- it's become a medical event rather than a sacred rite of passage. My hope is that by capturing the powerful, beautiful energy of pregnancy and birth, I can inspire other women to embrace the journey and remind them that our bodies are capable of incredible things. My wish for every woman is to feel strong, supported, and safe as she becomes a mother-- and I hope my art can help achieve that dream!


                                     

Catie Atkinson
Etsy Shop SpiritYSol
Instagram @spiritysol 

Beyond the Wound

For many months I have been silent in the other blog because I am slowly transitioning to yet another milestone in my life. In due time, we expect another addition to our family! I have been keeping this blessing under the radar because I wanted to protect the soul of the baby (a Kabbalistic belief and an old Filipino practice too, I was told).

It does not feel right to speak about these personal, controversial and radical matters in the other blog anymore so here is the birth of one blog specially created for an advocacy I currently feel so strongly about - Birthing.

To launch, I am posting a powerful masterpiece entitled "CESAREAN, beyond the Wound" by an exceptionally talented Argentinian artist I found online thanks to Jhoanna Parvati. 

"The series is comprised by more than thirty photographs of women that had cesarean sections and some brief and precise commentaries from the protagonists. The images show the physical and emotional scar. They invite the viewer to contemplate the wound and to go beyond, to reach some sort of understanding and commitment for a respectful birth care."

 -Ana Álvarez-Errecalde



The images and message resonate with me because 6 years ago, I underwent the knife (against my wishes) for the birth of my son, Santi. 

Of course I had a detailed birth plan, went to Lamaze class with my husband and was determined to do a natural vaginal birth. You know what they say, things never go as planned. On the month of my due date, my water broke and we rushed to the hospital because we were told to do so, for fear of a dry and painful labor? I don't recall the reason. 

As new vulnerable parents, we succumbed to all hospital protocols without a fight. My husband was not allowed in the room with me because we didn't get a Lamaze room (back then we were on a budget and reserved a spartan room ---no special treatment for those who cannot afford to pay for one) so I labored alone for 17 hours strapped down to a bed with an IV and fetal monitor attached to my body. I did not know then that by the positioning of my body, I would not open so I stayed only 4cm dilated until the very end. There was a stranger in there at one point, an intern who I was annoyed at because he was glued to his phone sending text messages while I was in pain. The least you can do is be compassionate, I thought/screamed to myself, but I suffered in silence instead. 

Now that I am pregnant with my second child and prepare myself for another (more humane) birth, I learn that all those horrific circumstances I experienced at the hospital prevented me from having a natural birth my body was designed for. Unnecessary interventions result to unnecessary c-sections. I cannot help but to think and feel that my husband, Santi and I was robbed of this natural body experience, a somewhat rite of passage for our family.

This is what I am faced with, a return to center as I heal from old wounds from the past. In Kabbalah, they believe that circumstances will repeat in order for you to learn the lesson. I am blessed to come face my demons once again- in birthing myself anew. This time, I will fight for what is rightfully ours. May this journey into my becoming inspire other mothers and women wanting to be mothers in choosing a more gentle path for their babies. As Ibu Robin says, "Peace Begins at Birth".