Or, what if it’s not all black and white?

A week ago, an acquaintance told me about the Free Birthing Show on the Discovery Channel. I’d never seen this show, but read and heard about it. It chronicles women who espouse a current trend of giving birth without any assistance whatsoever – no medications, no midwife or doctor, no support other than maybe a spouse or partner.

I don’t fundamentally agree with this practice. I truly believe it is a risky and dangerous course of action that places the lives of both the mother and baby in a precarious position. By sheer vantage point alone, it’s utterly impossible to become aware of (or respond to) a developing complication. A trained, knowledgeable person should always be present. Always. That means, a Certified Licensed Midwife or Doctor should not only be present during labor and childbirth, but should also administer prenatal visits monitoring the health of mom and baby along the way.

But, due to the increasing practice of American Doctors to use unnecessary medical induction and artificial labor management techniques, some women are simply choosing to take matters into their own hands. And—with the current statistics of mismanaged births, medically caused complications and emergency Cesarean sections—who could really blame them?

Free Birthing is clearly a response to the astonishing increase in the medical community to intentionally leave the woman out of birthing. The Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) most recent release of birth statistics reveals that the rate of cesarean surgery, for example, is on the rise to 31.1% of all births – 50% greater than data from 1996.** Likewise, national induction rates (i.e.: the use of pitocin) are up to 98% while epidural rates hover around 76%. And, I have to ask, are women in our society so incapable of birthing our children that a majority of them are born through artificial means? What if we aren’t?? What if?

I return to the Free Birthing Show during which a laboring mother exclaims that she’s having an orgasm as she experiences her last minutes of labor and birth. My acquaintance says, “That’s disgusting! It just makes me sick! An orgasm during birth?!? How disgraceful!” Now this may seem like a stretch, but bear with me. What is an orgasm? Well, most commonly of course, orgasm refers to the apex of sexual experience. However, when you look at the origins of the word, it is only during this century that it became synonymous with sexual climax. Prior to that—if you take a look at the word’s etymology from the Greek orgasmos—it means simply “to swell; to be excited.” And I would wager that, among myriad overwhelming emotions, somewhere in the heart and soul of every woman who gives birth is the intense feeling of being swelled up with excitement in that moment. But, it’s all in how you look at it.

And, that’s where my Pleasantville Theory of childbirth comes into play. What if? What if it’s all in the perspective—the common zeitgeist, if you will? What if the potentialities during childbirth weren’t based on black and white assumptions, black and white medical malpractice outcomes, and black and white opinions about what is and what is not “possible?”

What if we chose only to visualize the beauty of the mother and the new life emerging? What if a mother’s only thoughts going into labor were “YES I CAN?” What if the images of laboring women in the media were of positive, strong, loving mothers who display a calm and peace in the face of her experience? What if, as a society, we chose educate our daughters in a completely different way?

What if we shifted our cultural perception of childbirth even just a little bit?

What if we encouraged women to be motivated by only positive, empowering images? Would women still fear birth, still dread the contractions so much that they request narcotics before the first one starts? Generations from now, would the majority of mothers confidently use the healthier choices like cleansing breaths and soothing visualizations taught by trusted institutions such as Lamaze and Bradley?

What if all the side effects and after-effects of inductions, narcotics and spinal epidurals were more widely discussed and less socially acceptable? Would women more often use the historical method of labor support: a trusted certified midwife accompanied by a companion, partner or trained doula who provide constant compassionate care, encouragement and focus?

What if all the known postpartum dangers of c-section recovery incited such a global phobia that women would avoid one at all costs rather than choose them electively? Would this major surgery still be performed for a third of our national births? Or, would surgeons be more prudent with their choices to use such critical means?

What if the health and well being of the woman and her child were placed as the highest priority? What if there was a pervasive undercurrent of pride and accomplishment in the process? What practices would emerge as the common standard? And, which current practices would be acknowledged as harmful and thus fall by the wayside?

What if we just trusted ourselves a little more, questioned the medical system a little more, and valued the natural process a little more? What if we chose not to cling to the extremes of modern convenience and artificial technologies? What if we chose not to accept the black and white of the status quo but rather to embrace all the colors on the spectrum of human experience?

What if..?

**Statistics taken from Evidenced-Based Maternity Care: What it is and what it can achieve; Published 2008; Sakala, Carol and Corry, Maureen P.

This week I was invited to attend an Ambassador’s meeting of the Birth Circle of Pittsburgh. It is quite an honor and privilege to be asked to be an Ambassador for this dynamic group of women. Serving local women of childbearing age, the Birth Circle aims to educate and support mothers (and their families) through an amazing outreach initiative. The informational resources span myriad topics including domestic violence support; support for ESL families; teen pregnancy; pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum resources—to name a few. The Birth Circle is also a doula collective that gives direct prenatal, childbirth and postpartum support/service as well.

You can check out a more detailed description of the Birth Circle here. And, look for more coverage of current issues addressed by the Birth Circle here at earthmother.org.

Many people equate the Lamaze approach to childbirth with the breathing techniques that have been taught for decades. But, the Lamaze philosophy is so much more than that. The Lamaze understanding of a woman’s experience encompasses, in general, a deep respect for the laboring mother and the natural processes taking place.

• Birth is normal, natural, and healthy.
• The experience of birth profoundly affects women and their families.
• Women’s inner wisdom guides them through birth.
• Women’s confidence and ability to give birth is either enhanced or diminished by the care provider and place of birth.
• Women have a right to give birth free from routine medical intervention.
• Birth can safely take place in homes, birth centers, and hospitals.
• Childbirth education empowers women to make informed choices in health care, to assume responsibility for their health, and to trust their inner wisdom.

For more information on Lamaze’s approach and philosophies of pregnancy, birth and beyond, go to Lamaze.org.

Or, what if it’s not all black and white?

A week ago, an acquaintance told me about the Free Birthing Show on the Discovery Channel. I’d never seen this show, but read and heard about it. It chronicles women who espouse a current trend of giving birth without any assistance whatsoever—no medications, no midwife or doctor, no support other than maybe a spouse or partner.

I don’t fundamentally agree with this practice. I truly believe it is a risky and dangerous course of action that places the lives of both the mother and baby in a precarious position. By sheer vantage point alone, it’s utterly impossible to become aware of (or respond to) a developing complication. A trained, knowledgeable person should always be present. Always. That means, a Certified Licensed Midwife or Doctor should not only be present during labor and childbirth, but should also administer prenatal visits monitoring the health of mom and baby along the way.

But, due to the increasing practice of American Doctors to use unnecessary medical induction and artificial labor management techniques, some women are simply choosing to take matters into their own hands. And—with the current statistics of mismanaged births, medically caused complications and emergency Cesarean sections—who could really blame them?

Free Birthing is clearly a response to the astonishing increase in the medical community to intentionally leave the woman out of birthing. The Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) most recent release of birth statistics reveals that the rate of cesarean surgery, for example, is on the rise to 31.1% of all births—50% greater than data from 1996.** Likewise, national induction rates (i.e.: the use of pitocin) are up to 98% while epidural rates hover around 76%. And, I have to ask, are women in our society so incapable of birthing our children that a majority of them are born through artificial means? What if we aren’t?? What if…?

I return to the Free Birthing Show during which a laboring mother exclaims that she’s having an orgasm as she experiences her last minutes of labor and birth. My acquaintance says, “That’s disgusting! It just makes me sick! An orgasm during birth?!? How disgraceful!” Now this may seem like a stretch, but bear with me. What is an orgasm? Well, most commonly of course, orgasm refers to the apex of sexual experience. However, when you look at the origins of the word, it is only during this century that it became synonymous with sexual climax. Prior to that—if you take a look at the word’s etymology from the Greek orgasmos—it means simply “to swell; to be excited.” And I would wager that, among myriad overwhelming emotions, somewhere in the heart and soul of every woman who gives birth is the intense feeling of being swelled up with excitement in that moment. But, it’s all in how you look at it.

And, that’s where my Pleasantville Theory of childbirth comes into play. What if? What if it’s all in the perspective—the common zeitgeist, if you will? What if the potentialities during childbirth weren’t based on black and white assumptions, black and white medical malpractice outcomes, and black and white opinions about what is and what is not “possible?”

What if we chose only to visualize the beauty of the mother and the new life emerging? What if a mother’s only thoughts going into labor were “YES I CAN?” What if the images of laboring women in the media were of positive, strong, loving mothers who display a calm and peace in the face of her experience? What if, as a society, we chose educate our daughters in a completely different way?

What if we shifted our cultural perception of childbirth      even    just      a    little    bit?

What if we encouraged women to be motivated by only positive, empowering images? Would women still fear birth, still dread the contractions so much that they request narcotics before the first one starts? Generations from now, would the majority of mothers confidently use the healthier choices like cleansing breaths and soothing visualizations taught by trusted institutions such as Lamaze and Bradley?

What if all the side effects and after-effects of inductions, narcotics and spinal epidurals were more widely discussed and less socially acceptable? Would women more often use the historical method of labor support: a trusted certified midwife accompanied by a companion, partner or trained doula who provide constant compassionate care, encouragement and focus?

What if all the known postpartum dangers of c-section recovery incited such a global phobia that women would avoid one at all costs rather than choose them electively? Would this major surgery still be performed for a third of our national births? Or, would surgeons be more prudent with their choices to use such critical means?

What if the health and well being of the woman and her child were placed as the highest priority? What if there was a pervasive undercurrent of pride and accomplishment in the process? What practices would emerge as the common standard? And, which current practices would be acknowledged as harmful and thus fall by the wayside?

What if we just trusted ourselves a little more, questioned the medical system a little more, and valued the natural process a little more? What if we chose not to cling to the extremes of modern convenience and artificial technologies? What if we chose not to accept the black and white of the status quo but rather to embrace all the colors on the spectrum of human experience?

What if..?

**Statistics taken from Evidenced-Based Maternity Care: What it is and what it can achieve; Published 2008; Sakala, Carol and Corry, Maureen P.

As I am on my way to meet with a potential doula client and her husband, I am thinking of all of the wonderful benefits of having a doula present at birth. In short, a doula nurtures and supports a woman during pregnancy, birth and through the early stages of motherhood. Doulas offer care, comfort, gentle guidance and informational reassurance. They are a trusted companion to both the woman and her partner. They preserve the sacredness of birth and motherhood.

But, don’t take my word for it. Here is a little word from DONA International, a widely respected professional doula organization—an organization in which I’m proudly a member.

Numerous clinical studies have found that a doula’s presence at birth

• tends to result in shorter labors with fewer complications
• reduces negative feelings about one’s childbirth experience
• reduces the need for pitocin (a labor-inducing drug), forceps or vacuum extraction and cesareans
• reduces the mother’s request for pain medication and/or epidurals

Research shows parents who receive support can:

• Feel more secure and cared for
• Are more successful in adapting to new family dynamics
• Have greater success with breastfeeding
• Have greater self-confidence
• Have less postpartum depression
• Have lower incidence of abuse

Check out dona.org for more information

While researching an article, I stumbled upon a blog that has caused me to gasp and take pause. It’s the first of its kind that I’ve seen, written by an obstetrician whose goal is to debate current practices surrounding “natural” childbirth (quotation marks, hers), the midwifery profession and, with much froth and fervor—homebirths. Despite her medical degree and based upon her tone and stance, I am truly concerned about the author’s ability to reasonably and responsibly council her patients/audience.

Her presentation is aggressive, combative and judgmental; well beyond harmless ranting. Rather than truly debating these topics, the author—whom I’ll call Docblog—addresses the subject of natural childbirth advocacy as if its very existence is a personal attack on her and her medical profession. She refers to supporters of natural, unmedicated birth as irresponsible, reckless, and uneducated people who don’t know what they’re talking about. She is not furthering the discussion of responsible practices. She aims to end the discussion with hers as the final word. And, that I find most disturbing.

While it may seem unlikely that I might admit this, I am grateful to her for her belligerent confrontation of natural childbirth advocates. I am thankful, because I am reminded that anyone who attacks a debate from a defensive posture elicits my skepticism—as in, why all the bellicosity? Why are you so defensive? Where does this topic hit so personally that you lose all reasonability which would give any merit to the other side? And so, with my skepticism aroused, the gauntlet is thrown down to educate myself further. Truly, Docblog has reignited a desire in me to continue my inquiry into information about these subjects and their many associated perspectives. After all, in the legendary words of Francis Bacon, Knowledge is power.

Acknowledging Sir Bacon’s observation gives me pause to consider the many women I’ve met or been in contact with through this site who espouse a fundamental mantra in supporting natural birthing: Be informed. Be responsible. Be prepared. In my experience, it’s women who have actively sought out information about pregnancy, labor and birth that most often choose to attempt birth without medical interventions. Ask a woman who has chosen an unmedicated birth to define meconium, locate the perineum or debate the side effects of commonly used narcotics during childbirth, and she’ll do so without blinking. Many women who have chosen midwife-assisted care can cite the works of such groundbreaking practitioners as Dr. Grantly Dick-Read, Dr. Michel Odent, or Ina May Gaskin. If nothing else, these women are educating themselves, choosing to be active participants in the event of their child’s birth while benefiting from the specific knowledge and experience of a certified midwife or licensed doctor.

Yet, her cautions are not lost on me. Motivated by all of the Docblog’s criticisms of natural childbirth advocates, it must be clearly stated that:

Women should choose their health care provider carefully. Very carefully. Women interviewing a doctor or midwife should feel comfortable to ask as many questions as they see fit to receive the answers and reassurance they are seeking. When hiring a health care practitioner, one should always feel a level of strictest comfort and trust. If your practitioner makes you feel uneasy in any way, choose someone else. By its very nature, childbirth places women in an extremely vulnerable position both for herself and her child and, thus, requires that all practitioners be knowledgeable, trustworthy, and compassionate. In addressing Docblog’s argument that birth tragedies happen when the practitioner is found to be inexperienced or—worse—unqualified, I will make one last clear statement: of course midwives should be certified, credentialed and insured. That’s a requirement. That’s common sense. Hire a doctor or midwife that is qualified. If there are any doubts, investigate or make another selection. Otherwise, you might as well attempt it alone, and I would never advocate that.

In the end, the truth is —or maybe, more accurately—my truth is that truth is relative. A skilled author can cull together a group of facts and figures to support virtually any argument. Likewise, a capable debater can dispute a grouping of data simply by touting their own grouping of data. The trick is to be armed with enough knowledge, and not a little common sense, to wade through it all and draw an informed, deliberate conclusion. I have all the faith in the world that my peers are actively choosing to do just that.

Visit the homebirth debate for an in depth look at the chicanery that inspired this response.

Educate yourselves and your families. Make informed, responsible choices.