[Birth Stories] Weaving Together Four Unmedicated Births To Reveal Her Authentic Self

One of the biggest surprises for Ujarak Appadoo when she first got pregnant was that she would need to prepare or adjust for living in a pregnant body and giving birth. She’d figure she’d just carry on doing life as she’d seen her peers do, and that everything would unfold without much fuss. So began her long journey of transformation through four births, which included having to accept not being able to birth with midwives in her location of choice due to lack of access; experiencing, birthing, and grieving the 19-week pregnancy loss of her third daughter; and ultimately discovering she needs ample space for birth and postpartum, so she can stand in her power, and lovingly care for herself and her family, in community.

Related resources*:

• In My Anaana’s Amautik, by Nadia Sammurtok
  • This children’s book is about amautiit, the baby carrying garments that Ujarak creates
• Amautiga, where you can purchase the functional works of art that Ujarak makes

Related Birthful episodes:

• Going Into Birth Intuitively
• Why A Midwife Might Be Just What You Need
• Is Homebirth For You?
• Shaking And The Primal Nature Of Birth
• Miscarriage And Pregnancy Loss

Image description: Ujarak Appadoo, a brown-skinned Indigenous woman with long dark hair, carries her baby on her back

About Ujarak Appadoo

(Elizabeth) Ujarak Appadoo is a mom of four, including an angel baby, and a wife. She is an educator, textile artist, and graphic designer with a deep passion for birth. Originally from Arviat, NU, and now based in Montreal, QC, Ujarak founded Amautiga, where she creates meaningful pieces weaving in traditional and contemporary styles of Inuit baby carriers. In addition to her business, she also works in education and the arts. Currently a stay-at-home mom, she juggles an overwhelming number of craft projects while continuing to share her love of tradition, creativity, and motherhood.