One of my all-time favorite books is "Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom" by Dr. Christiane Northrup. I keep it right on my nightstand, and refer to it often. Its a huge book (well over 900 pages) and I love that it's overflowing with such gems of wisdom that I can open up to any page and read something that will make me think. The chapter on fertility really helped transform my thinking after my miscarriages. In this chapter, Dr. Northrup asks the following:
"What if we started now to teach our young women that they have inherent worth- and that though they may choose to have a baby, there are many other opportunities open to them as well? What if they knew that their menstrual cycles are part of their sacred connection with the earth and the moon- and their sexuality needn't necessarily be shared with a man? What if they knew that their wombs, whether or not they had children, are their body center for creativity- and that the womb has its own meaning and value, separate from being a potential carrier for children?" (pg 443)
These questions began to open my eyes to the true meaning of fertility and helped me to realize that my self-worth did not have to be tied up with whether I produced a child or not. Expanding our concept of fertility allows us to develop a greater appreciation of our tremendous power as women.
Many women who are struggling with feelings of blame, self-hatred or low self-esteem because they are having trouble either getting pregnant or staying pregnant (or both) may feel that their identity as a woman is being threatened by their inability to have a child of their own. Nothing could be further from the truth. Our sense of self-worth as women should not be dependent on whether or not we are able to produce children. There is great love and beauty inside each and every one of us whether we give birth to a child or not.
Learning to look inside of ourselves to connect with our own power and creativity will help us begin to see the unique beauty and energy inside each of us. We each have the power to create and give life to new ideas, projects and relationships every day of our lives. Creating, loving and nurturing our many unique creations is the pathway to a truly abundant and fertile life.
References:
Christiane Northrup, Women's Bodies Women's Wisdom, (New York: Bantom Books, 1998).
Copyright 2009 © Miscarriage Support System - All Rights Reserved
"What if we started now to teach our young women that they have inherent worth- and that though they may choose to have a baby, there are many other opportunities open to them as well? What if they knew that their menstrual cycles are part of their sacred connection with the earth and the moon- and their sexuality needn't necessarily be shared with a man? What if they knew that their wombs, whether or not they had children, are their body center for creativity- and that the womb has its own meaning and value, separate from being a potential carrier for children?" (pg 443)
These questions began to open my eyes to the true meaning of fertility and helped me to realize that my self-worth did not have to be tied up with whether I produced a child or not. Expanding our concept of fertility allows us to develop a greater appreciation of our tremendous power as women.
Many women who are struggling with feelings of blame, self-hatred or low self-esteem because they are having trouble either getting pregnant or staying pregnant (or both) may feel that their identity as a woman is being threatened by their inability to have a child of their own. Nothing could be further from the truth. Our sense of self-worth as women should not be dependent on whether or not we are able to produce children. There is great love and beauty inside each and every one of us whether we give birth to a child or not.
Learning to look inside of ourselves to connect with our own power and creativity will help us begin to see the unique beauty and energy inside each of us. We each have the power to create and give life to new ideas, projects and relationships every day of our lives. Creating, loving and nurturing our many unique creations is the pathway to a truly abundant and fertile life.
References:
Christiane Northrup, Women's Bodies Women's Wisdom, (New York: Bantom Books, 1998).
Copyright 2009 © Miscarriage Support System - All Rights Reserved
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