Name: Kristi Zittle

Website: www.hisgraceherbals.com
www.hisgraceherbalssharesjuiceplus.com

How would you describe yourself: mother, birth activist, AAMI Midwifery SkillsLab Instructor; Trust Birth Conference Coordinator

1. What change(s) do you want to see in birth?

For our families to recognize that birth is a physiological process, not a medical event. And to understand that mothers and babies rights trump the rights of any medical professionals–doctors, nurses, and midwives alike.

2. What people/places/philosophies/things do you envision being some of the catalysts in birth change?

Trust Birth Initiative and the best distance learning midwifery education that is available, Ancient Art Midwifery Institute founded by Carla Hartley (and pretty much anything she has to say is profound and life changing); Birth is Safe, Interference is Risky; Dr. Sarah Buckley (from Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering) and her unbelievably thorough education of the female hormonal system and how it molds the lives of babies from conception and long after their birth; Dr. Michel Odent’s stand on Privacy, Safety, and a need to be Unobserved for the woman in labor; Marilyn Milos and Gloria Lemay’s stand on keeping our boys Intact.

3. What is the first thing that needs to change with how the average person views natural birth? What are your ideas (big and small) to help this change?

Education based upon facts and truth which will dispel all fears! When fear is released and relinquished, birth can happen normally without need for interference. Impacting young student midwives to learn a hands off, hands out, mouth shut approach to midwifery is THE best way to serve women! Encouraging women to know that they have the right to choose any midwife or NO midwife and that the choice should be supported and resources given to help make that choice work for her best interest as well as her baby’s.

I am educating midwives regularly working to dispel the fears and lies provided by most in the medical mindset; I am also educating and providing myself as a resource for education and helping mothers seeking this type of birthing experience the resources they need to make things happen. I am speaking up as often as possible against the stripping of maternal rights in birth and against midwife’s rights which throw certain mothers under the bus so they can have their so-called protection.

4. What is the best advice you would give a pregnant mama who is looking into her birth choices?

EDUCATE–EDUCATE–EDUCATE yourself. Interview all options and seek more. If anyone tells you what has to be done during your pregnancy as a result of their comfort levels or protocols and it does not suit you–find someone else. NEVER SETTLE—thinking this is the only option–there are always other options. Get involved with online resources to find your alternatives! If you are approached with any viewpoint that induces fear–check it out and find the facts–most of the time she will see it was based on unsubstantial information or no information at all.

DO NOT EVER GIVE UP YOUR RESPONSIBILITY OF CONTROL! No decision is too small to let anyone else make for you. This is your baby and the rest of your baby’s life on the line–not just the few months in the womb. Your parenting begins at conception–be vigilant from the beginning. Once you give up any part of your responsibility the slope is slippery and hard to nearly impossible to regain any ground.

5. If you could give a few words of advice to all the women (even those not pregnant) that haven’t found their voices yet, what would it be?

It is ok to ask, Why? It is ok to disagree, even if the person speaking seems very confident and sure of themselves. Medical and midwifery professionals are geared and trained to be confident–even when telling lies and half truths. Never be afraid to ask for time to research it and learn more before making a decision–REMEMBER every choice you make (or let someone else make for you) in pregnancy WILL affect your baby in some way and that WILL mold your baby’s brain, central nervous system growth and response, your baby’s hormones–EVERY PART OF YOUR CHILD’S LIFE is changed. Take time to be sure every decision–no matter how small it seems–MAKE SURE YOUR DECISION is based upon tons of research and information that is factual.

6. What encouraging advice would you give anybody in birth (mama or any birth worker) when faced with that seems like the present “doom and gloom” situation?

The same advice given above. In most cases of doom and gloom–things are fabricated and exaggerated. Don’t settle for their information and research. Much of it is outdated and absolutely incorrect. Many doctors and midwives will provide only a portion of information that agrees with their viewpoint–this skews the truth and what is available to you and is not informed consent. Take a breath, relax, consider it well. Then educate, educate, educate. If you cannot find answers–seek the help of someone who goes against the flow (usually someone involved in the Trust Birth Movement)–even if you don’t agree with all they say–you will at least hear both sides and be able to make a more truly informed choice. Remember the tons of stories where well-meaning medical professionals have made suggestions that were totally wrong and lives would have been lost if mothers would have listened. We only hear of the “life saving” they do; but how often did they cause the issue that they then had to “save the life” over? Not saying to ignore warnings–but to really dig deep–see what your intuition/still small voice is telling you–then go from there with your education. You are the one who loves your baby MOST–you are the one with the most vested interest. Don’t let someone else make those choices for you.

7. What do you think “We” can do to help women find their truth, their trust and their responsibility in birth?

Again–spreading truths, not half truths and lies. Learning to SERVE women, not control and manage them as most medical/midwifery professionals do. Learn to protect mothers rights over those of medical/midwifery professionals–turn over the reigns–do nothing that the mother does not ask you to do. Educate her and help her educate herself so she is confident and knowledgable of when she needs your help and when she does not. We have to walk away from the mentality that we somehow are the “Saviors” of birth. We cannot save lives. We can be knowledgable and use techniques we have learned to help–but ultimately the one who created them has the power to save–and that is not me.

I would also encourage more birth workers (even if they don’t agree with every single tenant) to learn more of the REAL TRUTH about the Trust Birth Initiative. Join us at a conference. Sit down and talk with one of the staff members. I believe if more birth workers could mothers/babies first–we would see we have many things in common. We still believe in authentic autonomous birth work–where each chooses to serve in the manner that works best for them; so even though there will be differences that only serves to help mothers have more to choose from–and with this in mind–perhaps stifling some of the gossip/slander/ripping one side to shreds. We can stand firmly where we stand without tearing one another apart. We are all passionate–let’s allow the mother’s to choose which works best for her and all serve as sisters hopefully with the common goal of promoting mothers and babies above all else in the service.