My name is Sue Basser and I’ve been an avid reader of your discussions. Not only am I learning a lot, but I’m also inspired by your collective commitment to the empowerment of women, as the centre of the birth experience.
I feel inspired to share my story and in fact the reason I am on this discussion group.
I live in Byron Bay and although I have never had a child myself, I have been a support person to 6 friends – 1 in the old Paddington Birth centre, 4 homebirths and 1 home to hospital birth. I love being a support person in birth and I feel privileged to have experienced such sacred and joyous moments.
My life’s work, I guess is broader. I have always been committed to the process of empowerment, as a youth worker, as a community facilitator, as an organisational development consultant, and as a counsellor and healer. More recently I have moved this life long commitment into the area of organising retreats – an opportunity for an individual or a group to take time out to connect with self and purpose, and to renew….thus the name of my business, Byron Renewal. I believe that we all have the capacity to know what we need in our lives, to live to our highest. Sometimes, we don’t make the time or space to ‘remember’ that, so a retreat can provide that opportunity.
Anyway, one day my dear friend, whose 2 births I supported, Jannine Barron (founder of Nature’s Child), asked me if I would work with her to create a retreat for pregnant women. I felt honored to join with her and especially honored to create a space for women to acknowledge and prepare for the potentially most empowering experience a woman will have – giving birth.
Drawing on the vast and extraordinary expertise in our North Coast region, we pulled together an amazing specialist team – midwife, childbirth educator, pregnancy masseurs, ante natal yoga teacher, belly dance teacher, hypnobirth practitioner, healers, naturopath, preggie photograper, belly painter and caster, oceanic body worker…
…And created a 4 day program of nurturing, pampering, relaxation, inspiration, celebration and empowerment ~ The Byron Pregnancy Retreat.
Then in August, we ran our first retreat. Six women came from Sydney (4), Sunshine Coast (1) and local (1). And I have to say, it was the best thing I’ve ever been a part of. Pregnant women are amazing. The depth that the women were prepared to go, in connecting with their baby and with themselves was amazing. It was a profound experience for me, and I spent most of my time making cups of tea!
Some of the things women said afterwards were:
“The retreat has left me with a sense of profound liberation with my pregnancy and given me the strength to do everything I can to ensure a sacred and fulfilling experience for me and my baby. Thank You.”
“ I came here, quite terrified of my birth and I leave feeling fearless and empowered”
“I feel like I’ve re found the real me at this retreat’
I was surprised at the level of transformation that took place. One woman said, that had she been told that the retreat was going to do that, she would have thought she didn’t need it. Then at the celebration circle on the last day, this same woman was in tears as she shared how much she’d changed within herself.
More than anything these women realised that the birth experience is theirs (and their babies of course)….and that it belongs to no one else. They acknowledged that although they had been told so many horror stories by family and friends, they could choose to start with the premise that an easy, natural birth is available and is their right. And although anything can happen during the birth, the more informed they are of their choices and the stronger and clearer they are on the inside, the more empowered they will be. Wow. It really was beautiful.
The first Byron Pregnancy Retreat was such a success, that we have decided to go ahead and run more. We have the next one planned for October 9 – 12 and then we have 5 more planned for next year. We want to do some couples retreats as well.
I’m telling you all this, because I want to share what seems to be a magical experience for women who are called to it! And it feels what we are trying to do through the retreat is so inline with what you are all doing out there.
If you know someone who might be interested, just call Jannine on 1300 555 632 and we will send out more information.
Or email us at [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Thanks for reading and thanks again for your inspiration.
Love
Sue Basser
