Birth, Books & The In-Between
Writing a book has taught me how much art is like birth—and how birth is its own form of art. Both are intrinsic, intuitive, rhythmic… and yet completely non-linear within that rhythm.
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There is always a beginning.
A flicker in the dark.
A seed planted.
A sowing. A gestating. A blooming.
And just before the birth—
Labour.
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Sometimes it comes slow, heavy, and hard.
Other times, fierce, hot, and fast.
But often, there is a moment in between.
A pause.
A stillness.
When worlds hold hands—if only for a second.
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This is the space where labour often slows, even seems to stop.
A birthing mother may even catch a moment of sleep here.
In the hospital system, it’s typically viewed as “a concern.”
But biologically, something deeply intelligent is happening:
The mother’s body is preparing for the final stage of labour.
Gathering energy for the final push.
Her spirit is also preparing emotionally—for the world to shift.
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There is birth here, and so always also - death.
And in this in-between space - right before the artist births their art or child into the world - emotions can arise. Beliefs can surface. Fears can speak.
Am I ready?
Do I really want this?
Can I really do this?
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This is the threshold where transformation begins.
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Some of my favourite birth books are:
The Down to Earth Birth Book: A Practical Guide to Natural Birth, Jenny Blyth
