I am Maori, I Birth too

Hinetitama by Robyn Kahukiwa

I wouldn't go as far to say that ideas are stolen, oh no because that would make me a racist.  Lets just say things that I find the norm in my culture, appear to be the new thing in today's society.  Anyone who is of indigenous descent can tell you that we have been doing things the natural way since time began.  By natural I'm talking, birth, talking to the womb, conducting prayers to the potential of our babies way before the claws of well to do ideology came along.  Before we were dehumanized during public birthing practices and made to feel we had signed our rights to our bodies over to an apparently higher power.  I get hoha (annoyed) literally when I as a Maori woman, am made to feel that I know nothing about my body and nothing about birth for that matter.  Especially when it comes to the care of the many Maori mothers and families, I put under my wing as a Birth Attendant.  I know whats sensitive to my Maori Mama's, in terms of whats acceptable practice when it comes to touching, handling and care.  

I am all for a birth without intervention especially when the maths has been calculated beforehand and there are no risks present.  Being Maori alone does not warrant mass intervention, I challenge any care provider who deems it necessary to place such restrictions on a Mama because of cultural heritage.  I also get hoha at well to do folk proclaiming the euphoria of natural birth, while looking down their nose at those of us who have already been there and done that.  Tall poppy syndrome in birthing circles is tragic and as rampant as the small pox that wiped many indigenous cultures out around the world.

Why the hate lady?  I wouldn't go as far to say hate, more fed up with the tokenism remarks (my husbands maari *in a matter of fact way to say it's okay to digitally enter your nether region*)  I have maari friends and they don't do things this way.  News flash, your husband doesn't allow you to digitally enter his rectum does he and your friends are not giving birth right now or under my care so save it.  I'm assertive when it comes to culturally sensitive care, I'm assertive because of the spiritual nature of birth in my culture.  This stuff isn't text book, it isn't taught, its in our DNA, its who I am and its what I do for the cultural preservation of my people.  Our birthing practices have been long down trodden and long outnumbered, but with an increase of awareness, education by way of Waananga to our children, families and extended families.  Our customs and traditions of birth can be carried and nurtured as they should be.  How can such knowledge and care not reflect on our future generations.  We imprint a life of potential when we welcome our babies into the arms of loved ones, that's our job as their parents, carers and providers.  That's not the job of a gloved hand, a yelling OB or specialist, let alone an egotistical midwife.