Prologue, take 2

“...and you can see that we, this little group, are making our own little histories here. They're little histories because it's just a small slice of *relatively* small lives, but--these histories, these slices of people are perfectly preserved in this medium. And they're perfect examples of what WE are, for the moment.” ~Margula


Since the beginning of time, women have instinctually gathered together. Traditionally, in many cultures throughout the ages, rites of passage such as menarche, birth and menopause were commonly recognized in sacred circles and celebrated. Traditions were passed down from each generation of women, lessons were taught and both emotional and physical support was provided. Intricate friendships were weaved and women could rely on one another for care during illness, assistance with childcare, cooking and household tasks.

** insert historical references here ***

As time passed, these circles decreased in frequency, being replaced by singular families. Families were expected to be reliant primarily unto themselves, rather than relying on their surrounding community to support the children and family, resulting in a form of isolation. Furthermore, when women entered the workforce not only were these small communities of women more difficult to come by, but women were expected to work and still carry on their roles of mother, wife and keeper of the home.

It was in this spirit of community that we came to know one another and create a sisterhood amidst the hustle and bustle of today’s world. The World Wide Web has created pathways for connections across vast distances. Bonded by a common interest, childbirth, we came to know one another via a debate discussion board on a popular parenting website. Each of us already had small children, were pregnant or trying to conceive at the time and the debates over the array of choices that is available for birthing women brought to light many heated discussions and raw emotions.

As time passed, a friendship developed between the core group of women who frequented the debate board. As we came to know one another better we decided to create our own group offsite so we would have the ability to discuss more taboo topics such as religion, politics and abortion, along with the hopes that we eventually could arrange an in-person get together. A sisterhood, a women’s circle of support, was on nobody’s mind. We simply shared a common interest in birth and a satirical sense of humor. Though the topic of a get together soon fell to the way side, it didn’t take us long to realize, and appreciate, the deep level of knowledge, experience and support that each woman possessed. The group came to mean different things to different people; however there was no doubt that we all have come to gain something from the group.

** insert more info about who we are, what we do, etc etc ***

The topic of writing a book about childbirth, in fact, was one of the first things we discussed, even back then. We even had a few chapter titles picked out: Our Book; September 11 2005 Verituserum Truthpotion (Laura V) <<>>> Sample chapters: Chaper 1. Why stranded Beetles cannot give birth. 
Chapter 2. If you cut me there, can I cut your 
testicles? 
Chapter 3. YOU run a marathon after only eating ice 
chips. The entire basis to our book was an antithesis to “What to Expect When You’re Expecting’ and the entire modern model of obstetrics and giving birth. Our purpose in writing a book has evolved in the years since then. As has our relationship as friends. Now we want to write a book to express, to share, how in a society of isolation and nuclear families, where the tradition of intergenerational households and communal living was gone, that you *can* find that sisterhood, the help and support so poignantly missing, in the time of computers and information and the World Wide Web. <<>>

*** insert closing statement about this just being what we have learned from one another... we aren't experts, disclaimers, yada yada yada... ***

“Imagine in 20 years, if you could come back and read these threads again. I expect I'd laugh my ass off...some at my own hubris, some at the predictions that didn't come true, some at the ones that did. But more than that...won't we be astounded at the true emotion and life that's been captured here?”