Your body. Your birth. Your boundaries.
Your choices, your power.
Trusting your voice isn’t just powerful — it’s essential.
You’ve likely been told how to prepare for birth or what’s “normal” during labour. You may have even been told what kind of mother you should be.
But how often have you been asked — what do you want?
Your preferences, boundaries and your voice — they matter.
In fact, they’re the foundation of safe, respectful, trauma-informed care — and the cornerstone of maternal wellbeing.
The impact of feeling powerless in birth
When women are dismissed, pressured, or coerced during pregnancy or birth, the effects ripple far beyond the delivery room.
A 2021 report by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare found that 1 in 3 Australian women describe their birthing experience as traumatic (AIHW, 2021). Many shared:
- Feeling ignored or silenced
- Making uninformed consent or rushed decisions
- Experiencing lack of continuity of care
And yet, many mothers are told to focus on the outcome: “At least your baby is healthy.” But mothers matter too. Their stories, their wounds, and their consent matter.
What bodily autonomy looks like
Bodily autonomy means you have the right to make informed choices about your care — whether that’s:
- Choosing pain relief or going unmedicated
- Saying no to vaginal exams
- Refusing unnecessary induction
- Asking questions — and taking your time with answers
As the World Health Organization states:
“Respectful maternity care includes the right to information, informed consent, privacy, confidentiality, and freedom from mistreatment.”【WHO, 2018】
It’s not about being “difficult” or “demanding.” It’s about being heard.
Rewriting the narrative - your narrative
You don’t owe anyone politeness at the cost of your safety or wellbeing.
It’s okay to:
- Speak up
- Change your mind
- Say “not yet”
- Say “no” — full stop
And if your birth didn’t go the way you hoped, you’re allowed to grieve that. You're allowed to seek support, tell your story, and begin healing.
You know your body best
Medical teams are trained to deliver care. But you are the expert on your own body, your baby, and your boundaries. It's time you advocate for yourself first.
And when a mother is empowered to speak, choose, and lead — she doesn’t just birth a baby. She births a deeper belief in herself and inner wisdom.
At Omoiyari, we honour that voice. And we’re here to remind you:
- You are allowed to choose.
- You are allowed to be heard.
- You are allowed to say — “this is mine.”