Turtles and birth : last year our family visited Bundaberg where I stood on a dark beach, under the starriest of skies, with my kids and husband and witnessed the most amazing event – tiny turtle hatchlings breaking through the sand. We were supported through the experience by the Park Rangers, who informed us, guided us, and instructed us,with their goal being to keep the turtles safe – both the mothers laying eggs, and the babies hatching and making their run for the sea. What struck me was the level of understanding of what mother turtles need to lay their eggs, and what hatchlings need to be able to hatch, as well as the degree of reverence given to their mighty task, as the loggerhead turtles are an endangered species. There was great respect for the mother turtles’ ability to complete their mission to lay their eggs and give future generations of turtles a fighting chance of survival. Even though there were 100 or so tourists lining up, the Rangers did not rush, or set a timetable. We had to wait for the turtles, and the turtles would be there when they would be there, we were told. This was nature, and nature could not be rushed. Our wait was rewarded with a flurry of flippers and tiny shells, each turtle ready for the next step – to make it to the sea. I couldn’t help but compare this whole experience to how we humans see birth in our culture. It can be hard to find the reverence, the respect, and the trust that I saw on this beach. It can be hard for women to complete their ‘mission’ to birth their babies and emerge emotionally healthy. It can be hard to find the level of support and encouragement I saw that night. Just before we left the beach, we heard there was a straggler, a tiny new turtle making a break for the sea. We excitedly formed a path to the ocean, and urged it on : "Come on little turtle! You can do it! Come on!". She flapped those tiny flippers with us all witness to her maiden voyage, and just kept going. A ripple of water rushed up to greet her, & she was gone, rolled into the ocean. We all spontaneously applauded & called out well wishes "Live long, little turtle!". The heady rush we all felt from witnessing nature at its finest, and seeing a new life emerge, was palpable. We came away feeling awed at the grandeur and perfection of nature. Surely women and babies deserve at least as much respect and honouring of their abilities as those turtles were given? [Melissa at Birthtalk.org]
Posted on: Tue, 23 Jul 2013 21:14:08 +0000
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