Happy Mama & Baby

The ancient art of midwifery has survived many obstacles. Sisters helping sisters give birth is as old as stories have been told. 80 percent of all babies born today come through the hands of midwives, yet less than two percent of babies born in the United States are born at home. Here our culture fears birth and has imprinted a woman to believe she is required to be saved from birth, to be numb from the waste and to be sterilized, probed, poked, and separated from her baby.

Susan Arms states: “If we hope to create a non-violent world where respect and kindness replace fear and hatred, we must begin with how we treat each other at the beginning of life. For that is where our deepest patterns are set. From these roots grow fear and alienation —or love and trust.”

Remember, a lot has changed in our recent history that improves birth outcomes tremendously. We now live in a culture where we have running water, wash our hands, our homes are equipped with sewers and bath facilities, and there’s readily available food sources. What we have gained in knowledge of nutrition alone has improved birth outcomes and the general health and well-being of our families extensively. Birth is not a disease state, it’s a normal function of our body’s reproductive system. We know to get out of bed and work with birth energy. We are meant to move in labor and not remain stationary. Women need to be emotionally and physically supported during the births of their babies. We host a valuable intuition and knowing of what we are to do during labor if just given the encouragement and support to listen to our bodies. Our bodies will tell us what to do to birth our babies.

Yet home birth is not for everyone. It is safe for approximately 95% of all expected births. The most important realization is that you choose the place of birth that is right for you. Where you will feel safe, open up, and birth your baby is a decision only you should make. And you should make an informed choice. In this current culture, women must know the hospital policies that will affect their birth and care. They must scrutinize their care giver be it a medical doctor or midwife. There are many factors one must look at before deciding where you will birth your baby and with whom will serve you during this process.

And for those that hear the call—
My life has opened wide to embrace these births
With hands warm and loving
I feel so honored to answer the sacred call of midwifery
To help women discover their essence and strength as they work to bring forth new life.
And to watch them welcome their new child