This was totally unexpected

Thirty years ago, four years after the obstetric disaster that was my first birthing, I gave birth to my daughter with the most amazing orgasm. This was totally unexpected. The labour had begun slowly and was gentle and sensual. This really surprised me. I was expecting pain from the beginning. This first stage took me into beautiful dream-like spaces and energy rushed through my body. I was open and happy to be at home with people whom I knew shared my vision for a natural birth. These were the days of Leboyer births, and I wanted a gentle and respectful beginning for my child. I found myself alone in my room and when a dear friend came in I was suddenly filled with a strong sexual feeling.

This surprised or rather, it really shocked me. I felt confused. I had never heard of birth feeling sexual. I was so shocked that my labour stopped. I was unable to talk about what had happened. It was 2am and everybody went to sleep. The next morning arrived and still there was no progress. Everybody went on into their day and I spent the time with my little son shopping, cooking and resting. It was winter and late in the afternoon I went for a long walk during which my body assumed a most energetic and aerobic gait. I was like a ship in full sail. My enormous belly was covered with a rainbow-coloured woolen poncho. The wind was blowing it about me as I strode along the street. My baby suddenly shifted and I felt her head descend more deeply into my pelvis.

Once home things began to really rock and roll. Contractions began in earnest. I was afraid and called up my support crew. Labour then became extremely painful. I went to places that I had no idea were possible. The pain was both excruciating and exhilarating. I was so very grateful to be in a position where drugs were not an option. I visited the trauma of the forceps delivery of my son. I reclaimed my body from the epidural anesthesia that had robbed me of my 1st birthing. At one point I found myself emitting sounds that were extraordinarily pure and piercing and I was my mother birthing me! I was screaming the sounds that she had not been able to release as she had been drugged unconscious and I had been dragged out of her body. What followed was the most extraordinary feeling of peace and tranquility. This happened three or four times and then suddenly I WANTED TO PUSH! What a feeling! My body took over and I gave birth to my daughter with the greatest orgasm I had ever experienced. WOW! Still, 30 years later as I write this, I am taken back there. I am crying as I remember the amazing wonder of it. It was awesome. All that pain and effort was worth it.

Later as I cradled her in my arms I gave birth to the placenta and the goddess blessed me again. With a lingering good-bye kiss that was gentle yet profoundly orgasmic, the placenta slithered out of my body. This birth experience lives in me. It has sustained and inspired me for the past 30 years and I am constant in my resolve to do whatever I am able to enable all women, to have what I consider a birthright, the possibility of an orgasmic birth.

Rachana, Victoria, Australia