Friday, September 09, 2005
Necessity and Birthing
So I don't delay posting on here any longer... I am going to relate some of my personal experiences and thoughts about childbirth and the necessity of being prepared and NOT relying on someone else to take care of it for you.
Both of my children, now aged 6 and aged 4 were born at home without the assistance of a doctor or a midwife. My birth stories are posted elsewhere, and I won't go into detail here, but I am going to explain my reasoning for birthing this way.
(Also, I am going to be having my third unassisted birth in just a few weeks. So this isn't new to me.)
In light of Hurricane Katrina, and other natural disasters (and some not so natural) in these times, there is a growing need to be better prepared to rely on our own resources. In past years, women have been more resourceful in this area, able to live through hardships, fend for themselves without the modern conveniences we experience today. Now, I don't categorise birth as "hardship", but I do believe it is something that needs preparation, faith and understanding to accomplish.
When we chose to birth unassisted, we didn't do it under some notion to be "brave" or "better." We were seriously criticised from many angles for choosing this path, and probably still are (albeit not to our faces). However, we do not, nor ever will, regret making these choices. And recently, seeing how others have been "forced" to fend for themselves, and not being prepared to do so, I am doubly glad that we are able to do this.
Giving birth without anyone in attendance doesn't crate fear or panic in me in any regard. I know it does for many others who have not considered this option. My belief though is that this needs to change. I am not saying that all births are going to be at home, without assistance, or without need for help. There are experiences where extra help is needed. However, I am also of the strongest opinion that women are entitled to and do receive divine inspiration in how to handle their births. In emergency situations where no help is at hand, or likely to be at hand, it is important to know what to do. This is apparent in many areas, but for a pregnant woman, crucially so.
I will expound on this some more (as time permits) in the future.
Both of my children, now aged 6 and aged 4 were born at home without the assistance of a doctor or a midwife. My birth stories are posted elsewhere, and I won't go into detail here, but I am going to explain my reasoning for birthing this way.
(Also, I am going to be having my third unassisted birth in just a few weeks. So this isn't new to me.)
In light of Hurricane Katrina, and other natural disasters (and some not so natural) in these times, there is a growing need to be better prepared to rely on our own resources. In past years, women have been more resourceful in this area, able to live through hardships, fend for themselves without the modern conveniences we experience today. Now, I don't categorise birth as "hardship", but I do believe it is something that needs preparation, faith and understanding to accomplish.
When we chose to birth unassisted, we didn't do it under some notion to be "brave" or "better." We were seriously criticised from many angles for choosing this path, and probably still are (albeit not to our faces). However, we do not, nor ever will, regret making these choices. And recently, seeing how others have been "forced" to fend for themselves, and not being prepared to do so, I am doubly glad that we are able to do this.
Giving birth without anyone in attendance doesn't crate fear or panic in me in any regard. I know it does for many others who have not considered this option. My belief though is that this needs to change. I am not saying that all births are going to be at home, without assistance, or without need for help. There are experiences where extra help is needed. However, I am also of the strongest opinion that women are entitled to and do receive divine inspiration in how to handle their births. In emergency situations where no help is at hand, or likely to be at hand, it is important to know what to do. This is apparent in many areas, but for a pregnant woman, crucially so.
I will expound on this some more (as time permits) in the future.
