“It’s a stitch up to favour the uber-privatised, over-medicalised and corrupt health system in Brazil,” Says Priscilla. “Women are told, by mostly male doctors, that they are not able to give birth naturally. They’ve created a culture where women’s confidence in their own bodies is so low that, when they arrive here in the UK and told they must give birth without medical intervention, they are terrified. They think they are going to die.”
COVID exacerbated the anxiety. “The birthing experience in hospitals was very difficult.” says Satya, a Brazilian midwife at Homerton, “because partners weren’t allowed to come till the last minute, I had to act as both midwife and partner; literally, taking bloods and heart rate and massaging at the same time! It was impossible to show women how to breathe with a mask on. How can you show someone how to breathe when you can’t show your face and can hardly breathe yourself?!”
Priscilla tells of how one member of her group was left to give birth entirely in isolation during birth, an experience that left her traumatised. But out of trauma there came a silver lining, says Priscilla. “Not only was I convincing women about the benefits of a vaginal birth, but I was also convincing them of having home births, something that just doesn’t exist in Brazil, and is just a leap too far for most Brazilian women.”
As a result, because of COVID, Talitha decided to give birth at home. “When I told my mother and my sister were not happy about it,” says Talitha. “ But I feel like I’m making an informed decision and with Priscilla and people I trust around me a I know I will feel supported.”
The women talk about overcoming the fears that have been instilled in them, about their experiences as midwifes (which are non-existent in Brazil) and doulas and then launch into their birth planning session, demonstrations of postures and breathing, with laughter and excitements.
Watch Priscilla, Talitha and Satya's story in full as part of Fuerza London - a free online concert and documentary of film, dance, poetry and music to share and recognise our suffering, loss, resilience…and our contribution to the COVID response.
AVAILABLE ON https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHYC6xkWMDo&t=727s
