Tara Menzies

“The discomfort of pregnancy prepares us for the discomfort of birth, and the discomfort of birth prepares us for the discomfort of motherhood. As a society, we are so uncomfortable with being uncomfortable. We desperately try to bypass discomfort, and we measure our success by how well we are able to do so. I see this happening in both medicated and unmedicated birth spheres. Whether you plan to medicate OR meditate yourself into a pain free birth, we are making the avoidance of pain the goal. By making the avoidance of pain the goal, we are missing the point. Pregnancy requires us to stretch. Birth requires us to shatter. Postpartum requires us to sort through the pieces and rebuild. It is uncomfortable for a reason. This discomfort is where the growth happens - it's part of the perfect design. When we think we can't be any more pregnant, our babies decide to wait a few more weeks. And we continue on. When we think we can't handle another contraction, another contraction comes anyway. And we breathe through it. When we think we can't be any more tired, our babies call out for us. And we answer their call. When we think we have reached capacity, our capacity expands. As you move through pregnancy, dream about birth and prepare for postpartum, plan for discomfort. The discomfort is where the transformation takes place. The pain is where we meet our truest selves. Let it crack you open.”
― Tara Menzies, Faith-Filled Childbirth: A Christian Approach to Hypnobirthing