Why Birth Matters

"Birth of the Messenger" by Viktor (Photo credit: Tony Fischer Photography)

Why Birth Matters

As long as mother and baby are healthy in the end what does it matter? That induction, c-section, episiotomy, vacuum delivery, IV, epidural, narcotic pain medicine, continuous monitor, confinement to bed, forced pushing, lying flat with feet in stirrups.... may or may not have been necessary, but it's no big deal. Why are some women getting so bent out of shape? Why are some people fighting so hard to have legal professional midwives attend them at home or in a home-like birth center? Isn't it “crazy” that some women would rather have an illegal birth attendant or no trained attendant at all rather than go to the hospital? Can't they just ask for they want in a hospital and be “safe”?

It's time for a different line of thinking. What if the whole idea that pregnancy/birth is a medical condition is wrong? What if the hospital isn't inherently a “safe” place for birth? I (along with many other midwifery students and professionals) believe that pregnancy is a normal state of being and birth is a sacred event. Birth is rarely complicated so we should work on the assumption that it will not be problematic until something tells us otherwise.

Hospitals do wonderful, life-saving things for those with serious medical problems. If a pregnant mom has a serious medical problem or an unborn baby is in distress, the hospital is the right place to be. However, there are many many things a hospital can do but usually don't to make birth as gentle as possible for those moms who need medical intervention (like the mother centered cesarean). Many people have good hospital experiences. Some people are comfortable with routines and medications. That's okay, but the rest of us need options too.

For a woman who wants a natural birth experience or desires immediate, uninterrupted bonding with her newborn, a hospital birth is likely to be disappointing at best or traumatic at worst. Hospitals are not “have it your way” type establishments. Refusing orders, even making a reasonable request, is likely to be met with hostility by hospital staff, if for no other reason than you are interrupting their routine.

Birth is the beginning of a family (even if that family is just mom and baby). Should that beginning be harsh and fearful or gentle and joyful? Could the way a society treats mothers and children affect everyone? I think so because a birth that respects and honors the mother is empowering. An empowered woman is in a better state of mind to contribute to her child's growth as well as her own.

Mothers don't forget the birth of their children. What she will remember most isn't necessarily pain or lack thereof. She will remember whether she felt the support of others. She will remember whether she felt out of control or in charge. She will remember her first moments with her baby.