Women are being coerced into being cut in half to birth their babies. After severe surgery, these women are then left in shared rooms, to try and bond with their babies, in a hospital, before being discharged where some women find themselves alone. This is becoming the predominant birth story in many places across the world. The beauty of birthing is being erased and has become subject to economic forces, rather than natural ones. This issue is widespread and cuts deep into our belly.

I am one of many women who succumbed to an emergency c-section after being medicated without need and coerced. This was traumatic. But I am also one of an ever increasing number of women that went on to birth, without unnecessary medical assistance. This was amazing, but there were difficulties. I found myself without the support I needed, the information hard to obtain and my home inadequate. There are a lack of options for women.

Women and their immediate communities should have the right to unbiased information on how to safely birth their babies without unnecessary medical assistance and have access to a safe, suitable space to do this.

The birth retreat will be a beautiful and safe space for women and their families, where they can come and relax, enjoy a natural environment and be within a supportive community. This community will provide women with the information on how to birth their babies. Medical help from a stay-in midwife will be available if needed, and the retreat will be located within a reasonable distance from a local hospital. There will be facilities where women can do yoga, sleep comfortably, and have access to a birthing pool. Women will be taught how to hypno-birth and be able to enjoy their later stages of pregnancy, labour and bond with their child here. It will be accessible for all and only depend upon availability.