It takes a lot to leave me speechless. I’m a talker. And today’s guest Elana Bell did it twice. Today she shares her empowered cesarean story and how she took something so medicalized and made it sacred. How she created space to grieve the birth she’d wanted and the version of herself who had to die in order for her to be reborn in motherhood. And finding reverence for the continued physical and emotional work of motherhood. 

Elana Bell is the author of Mother Country (BOA Editions 2020), poems about fertility, motherhood, and mental illness. Bell is also the founder of the Mother Artist Salon. Her debut collection of poetry, Eyes, Stones (LSU Press 2012), received the 2011 Walt Whitman Award from the Academy of American Poets. In addition to facilitating her own Creative Fire workshops, Elana teaches poetry to actors at the Juilliard School and sings with the Resistance Revival Chorus, a group of womxn activists and musicians committed to bringing joy and song to the resistance movement.

Resources: 

• Myth of Motherhood episode 16: Natural vs. Ideal in Birth and Motherhood
• Read more about Elana’s birth story here
• Here is the link to the Sharon Olds poem
• Check out Elana’s incredible book Mother Country
• Elana’s poem After Birth on pstprtm
• Check out the Mother-Artist Salon here
• Learn more about Elana and the magical work she does at her website www.elana.bell.com
• Follow her on instagram @elana_bell
• Sign up for the next Review & Renew workshop here
• Follow Me on instagram @alissaalter
• Download your FREE guide to the 20 Things No One Tells You About Pregnancy and Postpartum, visit www.alissa-alter.com
• Join our private Facebook community Mom’s Club for the community of like minded, intentional moms hanging out in a 100% judgement free zone you’ve always dreamed of.

Loved this episode? Remember to follow or subscribe for free so you don’t miss an episode of Myth of Motherhood.