Ina May Gaskins Speech at the 2011 Right Livelihood Awards

[beapauls]

God bless you, Ina May! You delivered an excellent speech. Thank you for working so hard in the movement for birth freedom and safety. Your books helped support me in my preparation for 2 gentle, successful home births, with the excellent, professional, affectionate care of my midwife (and friend).

[DignityRose]

Ina May has encouraged me to have my baby natural and with my support team I did just that. Thank you so much Ina May. You have not only educated me but my husband and my friends. We, as women, should be strong, proud and empowered to love our bodies and know that we can do it.

[floatingclouds]

From women everywhere_thank you! A moving landmark speech and well deserved award. I learned from you when I was a young pregnant woman, thus was able to advocate for myself to have a natural vaginal drug free/technology free birth in a disapproving hospital; and now my daughter in law reads your books while carrying my 1st grandson to be delivered by a midwife in a birthing center. Woo Hoo!

[TheKam180]

I had a unnecessary c- section traumatic experience i want a vbac.

[dairyqueen4128]

She's got it right, people! I had a c/s w/ my first baby (due to placenta rupture), I had my second baby via VBAC w/ an OB and now going for another w/ a midwife. It's a long and hard fight where I live where the public still has the "once a c/s always a c/s" mindset. Homebirth is nearly impossible where I live as well b/c of a shortage of midwives, especially those who'll assist homebirths.

[blynecarriere]

Some of the listeners look unimpressed. People obviously do not know anything about what is going on in the birth community.

LISTEN UP PEOPLE!

You go Ina May!

[timelesswaydoula]

This made me cry in a few places and especially at the end! What an incredible and brave woman to speak the truth so boldly in a room full of bullies. Half of them wouldn't even clap or barely did so and not one stood. :/ Bravo Ina May! Perfectly put. We know to show respect where respect is due... Ina May deserves more respect than most and definitely more than she recieved in that room.

[finishstrongdoc]

"Traditional peoples, indigenous people, don't allow such behavior. We need to learn from them."

[finishstrongdoc]

"Now the profit motive really began to emerge vis a vis birth & fear,greed & ignorance have combined to make a nasty brew as well as a witch hunt against midwives who work according to the rhythms of nature. The belief soon grew that babies would be most safely born when the mother's body was intentionally injured in order to free the baby with a further rationale that such an injury would prevent worse injuries that would otherwise occur."

[finishstrongdoc]

"Only a country that has become superstitious in it use of technology could imagine that the use of imaging technologies could eliminate the need for teaching traditional manual diagnostic skills and all of the phenomena that occur in women's reproductive lives."

[TheMomofOz]

tap, tap testing 123 - OB's the world over did you hear this? because you need to!!!

Thank you Ina May - your book brought me so much strength while preparing for my natural birth.

I just hope more women hear your voice instead of Dr. Lisa Masterson's inane rambling...

[claff09]

An inspiration to so many, thank you Ina May for always sharing your wisdom with others. This is a great speech and very well deserved award. Congratulations!

[philippasdoula]

Ina you are amazing, in my journey in the Birth world your impact has been huge through your books and through your influence in my life. I dont think you will ever know just how much your impact has been on women around the world. MWAH!!

[Birthworksbirthpools]

What a truly wonderful speech that rings so true and hopefully will be heard by many and taken heed. I was glued to my seat listening to such an inspirational person, thank you Ina for all you have done.

[Tophandauntie]

Absolutely wonderful and true. We need to get away from our contorted management of childbirth in this country.

[Bishkek33]

Ina May, you have been an inspiration to me throughout my Midwifery career here in Western Australia. THANK YOU for your passion and for sharing your life's work and so many other Midwives' caring wisdom. CONGRATULATIONS on your very deserved award and I hope that EVERY person involved in birthing throughout the world, will listen and rethink their 'stance' on birth and embrace your recommendations. I eagerly await your next publication! With heartfelt thanks

Nadine Argyle

[mrleomovies]

ina may you are a true heroine to women, babies...birth. i am in such admiration and gratitude for all of your incredible work! 

[ingridjetten2]

Thank you for your Ina May for your wisdom.

[cdoula]

HOORAY INA MAY!!! As a doula, I hope to be able to serve women long enough to see all these changes happen. You are an absolutely amazing inspiration for all women. Congratulations!

Cheri Masek

[TantricBirth]

Ina May....You are such a Rock Star!!! Thank you thank you thank you for showing us how to be fierce! (and for a whole lot else :))

[samandnancy100]

Thank you Ina May!!!

[abarrettobgyn]

Congratulations Ina May. This award is well deserved.

[jjmidwife]

Brilliance and commonsense combined! Bravo Ina May thank you for your leadership and courage. Jennie Joseph

[itsabbielynn]

Thank you for your wisdom, strength and courage. A true inspiration x

[fionaheares]

Thank goodness for women who fight so hard for natural and normal.

[kenjahsmom]

Great Insights. Congratulations! You have touch so many women and the "fire" you have started will continue to be grow and will continue to touch lives

[apmarkeldoula]

Ina May, you are an inspiration. What a beautiful speech. Thank you!!!

[grammieK99]

Kudos,Ina May you have made a great differance in many women's lives, mine included. Thank you for all you have done!