Portal: The Art of Choosing Orgasmic, Pain-Free, Blissful Birth

by Yolande Norris-Clark

Imagine a birth experience that is peaceful, ecstatic, and truly pain-free. What if birth didn't have to involve resistance, struggle, agony, or "labor" of any kind; and was simply spontaneous, centered, sensual and rapturous? What if you had access to a way of knowing birth and welcoming the surge so you could experience every aspect of the expansion, opening, and emergence of your baby as paradise?

In this groundbreaking book, internationally beloved radical birth liberation activist, birth-witness, spell-breaker, way-shower, childbirth educator, midwifery teacher, and mother Yolande Norris-Clark reveals that all of this―and more―is possible for every woman. Contrary to popular belief and cultural conditioning, birth is not a medical event. It is in no way an ordeal from which women need to be "delivered," an obstacle to overcome, nor an inevitably excruciating experience that we must withstand. Instead, childbirth was created according to the sacred blueprint of our divine design to be joyful, psychedelic, transcendent, and transformational for both mother and baby.

"Portal" is equal parts memoir, philosophical and theological treatise, polemic, poetic transmission, and practical guide. This unflinchingly deep manual for transformation tackles not only birth, but all the portals in this life and relationships, spirituality, lifestyle, plant medicine, cosmic travelling, sex, orgasm, and death. The book offers a roadmap for practicing the universal principles of surrender, yielding, trust, pain-dissolution, self-ownership, spiritual consolidation, sovereignty, and energetic hygiene during pregnancy and birth. Readers will learn how to carry these concepts forward into all parts of our lives, in the spirit of true abundance.

Rather than presenting pain-free birth as an exceptional, complex, or lofty aim, Yolande openly shares that she too experienced excruciating intensity during her first eight births. It was only until the four-day-long birth of her ninth baby at age 40 that she was cracked open and offered the golden thread that allowed her to unravel everything she thought she knew about birth, herself, and the power to choose. Orgasmic birth has nothing to do with being special, being spiritually evolved, having the right kind of personality, giving birth multiple times, or even strategy. It's simply in our DNA as mothers.
The challenges we face, however, can be significant. "Portal" exposes the root causes of pain in birth, including fear programming, direct and intergenerational industrial obstetric trauma, the darkest layers of social engineering and psychological warfare, and self-sabotage. The book's focus is on the immense potential that every mother holds for life-changing bliss, peace, power, and healing, through undisturbed, spontaneous birth in alignment with our biological and spiritual inheritance.

The time has come for women to remember The we have the intrinsic ability and right to give birth autonomously, freely, and painlessly. To access bliss in birth is more than a gift we can give ourselves―it's a gift we can give to our babies, loved ones, and the world. When we choose to embody the unapologetic grace and extraordinary joy of birth in power, that choice ripples out into the collective and elevates ourselves, our families, and our broken culture to a desperately needed place of restoration and wholeness. Pleasurable and orgasmic birth is possible. In fact, it's your birthright. You only have to claim it. "Portal" will show you how.

386 pages, Paperback

Published October 23, 2023

Reviews

[Holly · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this book beginning to end.
Yolande is a compelling story teller, but the devolution into conspiracy theories and pseudoscience was beyond disturbing. Her bizarre condemnation of actual trained medical professionals like obstetricians and midwives as “evil” is a bit gross, as is her fear of demonic possession. I think Big Geology fit in there somewhere too doing some thing to mess with our relationship with the sun but those chapters got a little fuzzy.

I also note that this book was posted last year, received many more negative reviews, and has magically disappeared and reappeared, with much more glowing praise. Weird how that happens.

[Mrs. Brogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am going to be reading Portal over and over again. There are so many golden nuggets in here. This book is golden. I am not in the season of life of having babies yet (although I am glad I was able to read this book beforehand), but I have experienced bartholin’s cysts for several years. I now have a framework to dissolve the pain and fear that I used to choose to wallow in. Not only this, but through reading the Portal the cyst that hasn’t left me for 4 years began suddenly to swell up hugely and become intensely painful, the worst pain I’ve ever experienced. I find it no coincidence to the fact that I was reading Portal and attempting to integrate the ideas within, which caused my Yoni to swell. To me this means that my body is healing from the internal conflict, and that I know now that I have personally architected this experience. Now I am framing the experience of having these cysts as an initiation I chose willingly to have in order to heal from specific traumas and to teach myself to the trust the innate wisdom of my body instead of choosing to lean into the drama and lack of embodiment which causes me to spiral which is a self-feeding cycle. So I appreciate this book for helping me identify where I specifically built this experience from the ground up, and how I contracted into it willingly.

This book is confronting. Let it confront you. See it through to the end. Choose the portal that leads to bliss!

[Ana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really came at the right time for me. I think had I read this any earlier I would have felt too confronted and defensive to receive it honestly. I did not read this as a guide for "how to have a blissful, orgasmic birth" and I would not necessarily recommend reading it for that purpose. Yolande's voice is powerful and unyielding and confident. Her exploration of our human tendency towards drama and victimhood resonated in just the right way for me, helping me reframe my previous traumatic birth experience and a lot of the story of my life. I choose how I move through this life. I have far more choice and autonomy that I often claim. After moving through a very challenging winter wrought with frantic anxiety and deep depression in the face of confronting a lot of my own story and beliefs, I almost felt Yolande was as an older sister to me, encouraging freedom, lightheartedness, honesty, and depth all in one.

Loved this work so much and can see myself returning to it often!

[Francesca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Edit 09/25 : I've toyed with the idea of deleting this review but I find this unfair towards the author, since I enjoyed the book when I read it and regarded her as very insightful - which she is for sure to a certain degree. Then why this note (and one star less)? Because over time I've come to understand how the main tenet presented in this book ("everything you experience in this life is chosen") is deeply manipulative. In part autenthically and ideologically, because it's clear that the author sees herself as a crusader against a system she genuinely finds evil; but, also, to exploit the vulnerabilities of the readers and potentially lure them into pricey coaching sessions.
Read this book but make sure you are not looking for a guru as you do so.
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A book about childbirth that is not really a book about childbirth. I would describe Portal more as a philosophical book, for it powerfully transcends its main subject to cover a plethora of topics: free will, God, fear, healing, pain, our magnificent yet flawed humanity. All of these are over-arching, universal experiences.

Although the core message of Portal is undeniably positive - you can give birth peacefully, you can heal, you can get past trauma...as long as you want it -, I can imagine that it can encounter a deep resistance by many of us. However, the fundamental idea that every our experience is, on some level, a choice, deeply touched base with me: all of us have likely made the experience of manifesting a desire as the consequence of some deep internal shift, as well as, likely, sort of summoned negative "unwanted" experiences as a result of our beliefs. We do have the power to unhook from draining dynamics and subsequently find real ease and liberation. And on the other side of the spectrum, we all know someone or have been the person who, no matter how much they attempt or do, is always stuck in the same situation, running in a circle. I now this, at least, to be true for myself and other people I have known: and this is not a small thing at all.

The author's insistence of "victimhood" is an invitation to re-evaluate ourselves and our stories and always dare to step into self-responsibility: a power we harness seldom and can be used more often, and better.

It is also crystalline that Norris-Clark draws upon her own lived experiences and insightful observations of others. This is refreshing in this confused age where people tend to leave a worldview-box to get into another out of confusion or conformism. Nor are there badly-concealed attempts to portray herself as perfect or more rightful: quite the opposite, she does not shy away from admitting to personal flaws or failures.

Finally, I think you do not have "get" everything the author states on the spot, it is a book to read and pick-up again during different seasons of life. Overall, and without a doubt, Portal is a loving and encouraging letter from a woman who clearly values freedom above everything else, no matter how uncomfortable or challenging that might prove to be.

[Annie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Orgasms should occur during conception, I still don’t know why birth should even be “orgasmic?” Seems like it should not be a priority at that point and I just feel bad for this author that she isn’t having regular orgasms if she’s reeeeeally set on checking that box during labor. And then we have to read her pontificate about it nonsensically? I couldn’t finish this book. As someone who has witnessed births resulting in severe hypoxic injury, the priority should really be safety. This person has zero medical knowledge, just vibes.

[Alaina Gangestad · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the most intriguing, unique, at times bizarre, challenging book on birth I have ever read. Some parts are informative in nature, others read like a memoir. As a whole, I really enjoyed it. I must caveat with this - as with any book or author, I do not agree with every single thing or thought in this book of which Yolande Norris-Clark is a proponent. But I think there is SO much truth to the overall message of the book - you get to choose. At every junction in your pregnancy, birth experience, postpartum, mothering journey, and beyond, you get to choose how you are going to respond. Will you recognize the sensations of birth as painful and bad? Or will you embrace them as good and even pleasurable, choosing surrender instead of fighting them, and also recognizing that these are the very sensations that are bringing your baby into the world (joy!)? As someone who has experienced one very long, painful, and scary (yet still beautiful and triumphant!) labor and two joyful, ecstatic births I would never use the word “pain” to describe…I fully recognize how much the choices I made leading up to and during the births of my three babies (so far) affected the outcomes. Do I still believe God is sovereign? Yes. Do I believe that there are situations that occur which we can’t control? Yes. But we do still have a choice in how we respond to those things. So anyway. Keep your Bible close at hand but read the book (if you’re into these kinds of things). Take the good and leave the overly woo behind haha.

[Lorena · Rating 1 out of 5]

Zero stars

[Zsófia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately I had to abandon this book halfway through, which is very atypical of me. I'm in the second trimester and there are so many good books to read on birth & pregnancy, but for the most part I was only getting annoyed with Portal and decided not to spend more time with it for now. I had already been familiar with the concept of freebirth and what Yolande and Emily are promoting with freebirth society, and I'd learned a lot from them through their social media, podcast, and some courses. Even in Portal, it was very interesting to read about Yolande's own birth experiences, but she lost me with all the extremely dense conspiracy theories and wild associations including with stuff like CERN and particle physics. I'm sorry but this is just not helpful for me right now. Yolande has very strong opinions on many topics, and mostly she states them with such certainty, but it doesn't feel like her knowledge is that wide and deep about everything that she declares to know.

[Saydria Ricks · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was hoping for more tactile practices & I didn’t resonate with all of her beliefs, but there were some positive words of wisdom I left with.

[Regan Cambridge · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dnf'ed for the language being too violent. Every other word was "rape" and "demonic"

[Maddy Greeley · Rating 1 out of 5]

A fascinating look into the headspace of this community who prioritize their birth experiences being sovereign over the life of their baby and themselves.

About the unassisted birth of her eighth child:
“My first thought was, ‘Ah. He is dead. And I love him.’” She goes on to write about how she picked her unbreathing baby up, then “a few moments later, his soul seemed to enter (or re-enter) his frame, his face and form animated, he took his first breath, and came fully alive.” “What I came to realize through [that experience] is that The Breath is the most sacred thing we have. It is the essence of what we are. It is through the breath that we become. All action, expression, and creation derive from the breath. A child’s calibration of breath and body, in that moment of initial intergalactic transition, is incredibly precious and important.”

Several pages later: “Why are the majority of humans alive on planet earth right now literally born into fear, tension, struggle, and significant trauma? Birth is always an initiation into one world or another, yet very few mothers are aware that we can choose the world we initiate ourselves and our babies into. Beyond the question of pain versus pleasure during birth, most women are incognizant of the fact that the normalization of obstetric violence within the industrial birth system is a way of priming ourselves and our children for a world of nihilism and self-objectification.”
“Sovereign, autonomous birth … offers us the most significant path to self-healing, self-knowledge, and our greatest potency as human beings.”

When you believe the moment of your child’s birth literally sets the stage for their ability to enjoy and own the rest of their lives, of course you’re going to take the risks of a freebirth. As much as she writes “you can choose whatever you want for your own birth”, she’s also explicitly saying that if you choose to have a medical provider present, you’re dooming your child to a life where they don’t know who they are or how to live life to the fullest. Incredibly dangerous idea. Takes people’s very real critiques of medical obstetrics and turns it into a false all-or-nothing dichotomy.

1 star
pros:
-she tells us on page 1 that she doesn’t believe in science and the whole book is based on her own “instincts”, so at least you know what you’re getting into
-I actually like her thoughts on “radical self-responsibility” and choosing to surrender to pain rather than fight against it
-well-written
-will help me have conversations with my sister-in-law

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought provoking book. This book was recommended by a friend who had high risk traumatic first birth (due to a placental abruption) and chose to free birth her second child.

I particularly enjoyed the sections on pregnancy and childbirth (less those about living a healthy life in general). It presents an extreme perspective that promotes a natural and spiritual birth process, and it doesn't mince words when it comes to criticizing the medical system (even midwives get their share).

This is a book for all women not just those who are pregnant or considering it.

[Abby Illingworth]

Didn’t quite finish this - maybe I will someday when I’m not so fresh off of my own birth experience.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most important books on birth ever written and one of my favorite books I have ever read. I found myself nodding along to much of it - mindblown that someone else was speaking the ideas that I thought were perhaps only in my head and seeing the things that I saw, giving me a deeper sense of community and orientation to my own beliefs, especially those about birth. I found myself expanding in my understanding, like a future version of myself or a dearly loved older sister was writing back ancient wisdom to me. I learned a lot. I started going through a paradigm shift only to realize that I was actually only coming home to what I had always known to be true - about birth, about life, about living, about relationships, about death - and parting from the lies and muddled confusion that is so common in all these things.

Yolande writes the way my mind thinks, and it is rare, yet such a blessing, to come across a soul sister. I had the privilege of attending a free online workshop she held only a few days or weeks after learning she existed. I was immediately drawn to her energy and wisdom. She has so much to offer, and I am so grateful I have had the opportunity to receive.

There is not a single part of this book that did not deliver. I hung on every word, and each time I picked the book back up (for I rarely read any book straight through), I was immediately drawn back in as if the narrative had never stopped. It is easy to read, yet so high-vibrational and intelligent.

This is not to say that I agreed with every part of it nor fully took on her worldview; of course, it is impossible to fully take on anyone else's worldview and still be authentic. But contained within these pages is something True.

It is true that, when we are open to receiving and willing to be patient, the right words and wisdoms come to us at precisely the right time. I have been in the birth world for nearly three years, and I came to Yolande's wisdom at the exact moment I was ready for it. When you are ready, I highly recommend this book.

[Honey Peach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Portal is everything I needed and more. I’m pregnant with my second baby and this book has helped transform my entire mindset. I have never felt more confident and trusting of my body, mind and soul. I am in perfect symbiosis with my baby. It has awakened me. Thank you Yolande. I urge anyone who is pregnant or planning for a baby to read this. I cannot wait for my birth, this book came to me at the right time. It made me confront so many things about my life, my choices, my past birth experiences and my current pregnancy.

[Kennedy Henson · Rating 5 out of 5]

“There is no need to put any stock in your transformation-that part is guaranteed. There is no pressure, no obligation whatsoever. You can choose to simply flow.” Poetry, storytelling, quantum science, and spirituality intermingle to teach us what we have all known all along: we are the creators of our own lives, past, present, and future.

[Willow Bosela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Parts of this book I really loved and made me really examine myself. The insulting blanket statements about medical practitioners, midwives included, and the personal stories of psychedelic trips were really unnecessary and didn’t add anything to the book. Overall Yolande has a lot of wisdom to offer and it’s a book I will keep coming back too.

[Anna Marie]

Pretty entertaining if you read it as a memoir

[Fia Moon · Rating 1 out of 5]

Had high hopes for this one but came across too extreme and judgy. This book is mostly harsh thoughts not backed by science.