While applying for grad school, I was given 60 minutes to write a 200-800 word essay "about a time you succeeded by perseverance and determination." The way I'm wired makes it impossible to pass up opportunities to sneak in a little woman power propaganda. So, I did not choose to write about the time I placed second in the elementary school science fair, even though that was pretty cool. I hope those given the unsuspecting task of reading this essay find themselves encouraged, a tiny bit more informed, a little amused, and not too grossed out. Oh, and you know, I hope I'm accepted to their school:
The choice to give birth naturally in a hospital required much dedication and perseverance. Advocating for the birth I wanted while undergoing such a physical and emotional challenge was a daunting task, especially while being cared for by professionals whose ideas about childbirth differed from mine. However, a completely natural childbirth with no medical intervention was possible because I was armed with a strong will, a sense of peace, and confidence my body could successfully do what it was designed to do.
As soon as I arrived at the hospital’s birthing room, I was faced with a challenge to exhibit my will. The nurses had ordered me to lie in bed, have my contractions monitored, and be given an IV. I was determined to decline everything in favor of freedom from laying on my back or dragging a pole around. Although it would have been easier to not debate the issue, I was more interested in procuring my liberty. Since I had been declared healthy in triage just ten minutes earlier, the nurses were successfully persuaded by my requests, and set me free. Without being tethered to monitors or medical equipment, I was able to intently relax and focus on the task at hand.
Because I was able to get into any position I deemed productive for laboring, I had a sense of control which gave me peace. I laid in the jacuzzi tub for a while, sat on an exercise ball, and when I started to transition to second stage labor where the contractions are incessant, I was content to lay on my side and hold on to my husband’s wonderfully comforting, familiar hand. Focused on the knowledge that my baby girl would be here very soon instead of the fact that the contractions were incredibly painful, I was able to readily face the incredibly physically demanding task that lay ahead.
Prepared for the real work to begin, I meditated on all I had studied about this fascinating process that was now taking place in me, and trusted my body was specifically designed to handle it. Knowing millions of women for thousands of years had successfully gone through this exact process empowered me with strength to endure the most physically demanding task of my life. Filled with grateful anticipation and no fear whatsoever, I breathed through a couple of contractions before I decided to push with the next contraction. Working with all my might while retaining complete control, three confidently determined pushes later, I heard the healthy cry of my daughter and was overcome with every positive emotion that exists.
As I held my child for the first time and wondered in awe at this miracle of life I’d just witnessed, I realized that being acutely involved, both physically and mentally, in the entire birthing process helped me feel immediately connected to that miracle. Having a will to persevere gave me the control I needed to peacefully and confidently trust my body to do its job. The birth of every child is a remarkable experience, no matter how he or she arrives, and because of my determination to have the birth I desired, my experience was not only remarkable, but a complete joy.
Honestly, I left out some messy details, and the essay is actually a conglomeration of both Alexa's and Penny's births. While I know not every birth goes so smoothly (there's a reason Ronnie's arrival was not included in the birth story potpourri), I think the story works as an interesting application essay. At least I hope the school thinks it does.
