Everyone who gives birth shall forever carry their story imprinted deep within. For some, the memories brings joy, others unresolved feelings and for many, they are somewhere in between. Time will take someone further from the experience but what happens when your birth goes unprocessed?
In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with co-director of Birthing From Within International and author, Nikki Shaheed. Nikki explains what it is to process your birth with some one who can safely hold the space for you. She also discusses how to retell your birth without retraumatizing yourself and find closure. This is such an important conversation for anyone who has or will give birth as well as birth workers and family support.
In this episode:
- Learn about Nikki and how she got started as a birth worker
- Why it is important for someone to process their birth stories.
- What may happen when birth stories are not processed.
- How someone can process their birth and without retraumatization.
- Finding an effective way for someone to hold the space for a new parent to share their story.
- Some phrases or leading questions to steer away from when listening to someone process their birth.
- The difference between sympathy, empathy and commiserating.
- What a birth story session entails and what someone can expect from a session.
- Hearing Nikki help me process part of my birth story. (I didn’t expect this to be part of our conversation!)
- How sharing your birth story to a supportive listener can help you heal and resolve challenges.
- What is one tip or piece of advise Nikki has for new or expectant parents.
- Where to find Nikki’s work.
About Nikki:
Nikki Shaheed is one of the Co-Directors of Birthing From Within International. She facilitates Birthing From Within trainings for birth professionals from around the world. Nikki also leads Birthing From Within classes and Birth Story Listening sessions in San Antonio, Texas, where she lives with her husband and three children. Her first book, Heart Centered Pregnancy Journal was released in early 2020.
Additional Resources:
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