forty-four comments

Comments to...



Eloise:

Wow, I really appreciate the creativity brought into your project. You explored your thoughts through these images that often bring a sense of discomfort among most people. This is because we aren't used to confronting our thoughts, even though they come naturally for most of us.

I really appreciated the poem that you wrote, I could totally imagine you speaking these words with passion, and I'm happy that you could communicate that through the internet!

I appreciated the topic because I felt like it is one that everyone can relate to. You have your own understanding that everyone is a sexual being and I appreciate your willingness to question sex being thought of as taboo among a large population in the united states ( i can't speak for any other place).

I still think that you have room for improvement in your writing. I wish that you would have introduced the poem and explained your thoughts being it and the video. A good way to think about it is to think, what if someone not exposed to pregnancy and birth were to see them, how would I prepare them to read my post? well... you get my drift? miss you! have fun in france!

nai


Casey:

yer,

your post illustrates the eventful day you had with dr. Moritz. although i've never been present at a birth, i've got a feeling that its very difficult to communicate to anybody what the experience was like. taking that into consideration, i applaud you at presenting your experiences in the way that you did- very articulate.

i think that your post matters to me because i have an appreciation for birth- as we all do.should? and i would someday like to be an assistant at birth, like a doula. Having read your post on the plane, it kept me entertained, and thanks for that too.

ciao


Devin:

I really appreciated your work! You presented the medical approach as one that may not have an understanding or appreciation of the effects of allowing the umbilical cord to be cut after three minutes and presented the natural approach as being more welcoming to the literal connection between mother and child.

After reading the book that I was assigned to from class, this was brought up but not written about in detail. I was interested in this topic and I'm glad that you provided me with more information.

I liked the way this blog post was written, but perhaps you could have displayed it in a more creative way? 



Comments from...


Eloise:
Naima, your narrative discribing the doula training class you are going to take, your first memories of birth, and the deep discussion with your aunt about working with child delivery and the medical system was written with great beauty. It tied in the previous unit as well (I belive without intention) Which i belive is very powerful.

I realllllly liked the actions your taking, becoming a good friend of yours I can really see you as being a very helpful person in pregnancy. I think that you taking these courses is very interesting and EXPERIENTAL TO THE MAX ! I can't wait to hear how they go! I also really liked the opening story of your post it flowed like a river.

Your project matters to me because as a friend I value the relationship you have with your family and I feel these actions you are taking are going to have a major positive influence on your step mother and especially the little babe to come ! (hopefully) What story it will be to tell that you saw your sibling being born.

Elizabeth:

Naima!

The courses you described sounded amazing. I liked that your focus was on becoming a doula/being a part of birth because it relates to things we talked about in class, but hearing what your aunt had to say was a new point of view. I actually considered going through doula training for my project as well, but I didn't know how well it would turn out without the actual training (since the next available session was in May).
Your project though, came out really well and I think that the interview/your personal connection (step-mother) really added extra emotion into the project which I feel is a hard thing to do when such a stiff word (in my opinion) like "project" is being used.

I hope to hear more about your training and your perspective on your step-mother's birth experience

Casey:

Naima,
You go girl! Your motivation to be involved in your stepmom's pregancy and the overall experience of birth is commendable, and the fact that your formed a strategy to do so looks effective. I think your experiences in doula training will provide life-long skills. After having seen several births, a doula in action, and what it takes to support birthing/pregnant women, I think that you have the potential to be a great doula!
Your project is important to me because I might like to take that class as well. I'm so excited for you to learn more about this process and eventually be a part of a birth.
I found it especially interesting that your aunt sings to the baby and familiarizes herself with him/her by touching the stomach...I wonder how she learned to do this.
Interesting work!


Comments from...
Emma:

Naima,
I love the way you reflect on your experience with your friend Tiana. It highlights the transformation you've gone through regarding your perspective on birth, but also shows the common beliefs regarding birth- that it's disgusting. The way you describe your conversation with your aunt is also really wonderful and vivid. She brings up a lot of interesting ideas that challenge the notion of conventional birthing practices, and I was particularly interested in what she said about doctors not respecting nurse practitioners. Overall, this post has gotten me to think about birth in a more holistic way- this post illustrates the ways in which birth is a journey, rather than an isolated event in a woman's life that she bears no connection to. It also makes me question the western medical world as a whole, and how its birthing methods reflect its lack of emphasis on true healing that involves a deep connection between the body, mind, and spirit.

Joaquin:

The part that jumps out to me is the paragraph where you introduce Auntie Ramona, and the character that she is. You captured her quirkiness and passion well. And knowing her, I know she WOULD say something like Bingly liked the attention she gave her.

I also appreciate how your passion for this subject comes through consistently in your piece. Although the recent turn in events has shifted things as we knew them, I encourage you to continue to explore this interest of yours. I think you would make a great doula or midwife.

Remember to always reread your work bebe. Proper nouns must be capitalized. Allyson's name for example :) But, I must say, your writing has clearly improved over time. I'm very proud of you my little munchkin sister.

Love you,
Joaquin