“Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.” ~Khalil Gibran

“Making the decision to have a child, it’s momentous.  It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.” ~Elizabeth Stone

“Birth is not only about making babies.  Birth is about making mothers–strong, competent, capable mothers who trust themselves and know their inner strength.” ~Barbara Katz Rothman

“It is true that naturally occuring labor can feel larger and greater than the woman birthing.  This is not so as she creates from within the very hormones that increase the strength, power, and frequency of her work of labor.  That is the good news–it is from her, for her, by her.” ~Desirre Andrews, ICAN

“Birth is an opportunity to transcend.  To rise above what we are accustomed to, reach deeper inside ourselves than we are familiar with, and to see not only what we are truly made of, but the strength we can access in and through birth.” ~Marcie Macari

“Yes, I do want more women to opt for a VBAC if that’s right for them, because from a public health point of view I think there will be fewer downstream health problems on a societal basis with fewer cesareans.  But on an individual basis, each person has to choose what’s right for them, and

“A new baby is like the beginning of all things–wonder, hope, a dream of possibilities.” ~Edna J. Le Shan

Birth is a rite of passage of women.  Their journey should be honored, their rights should be fiercely protected, and their stories should be shared.” ~Marcie Macari