I recently had an "ah-haaaa!" moment in my understanding of women's coping in active labor. I prepared for my three natural births using Bradley Method which is very focused on relaxation. While this worked well for me until transition began, I struggled to understand why so many women cope best by pacing, vocalizing, rocking, moving. My sister-in-law Kati gave me the privilege of being present at her two births, and it amazed me how she found her own way of laboring that was not the relaxation techniques that Bradley teaches. It was so clear her baby dance was just right for her. And yet it confused me- it wasn't reclining relaxation, nor was it frantic or fearful in the least.
Well Penny Simkin has enlightened me! Her website has some fascinating reading (presentations, articles, and handouts) for doulas or other birth professionals. In "The 3 R's in Childbirth Preparation" she discusses the three primary characteristics of pain/stress management in women who cope well with labor. She writes,
"1) they are able to relax during and/or between contractions.
In early labor relaxation during contractions is a realistic and desirable goal; later in labor,
however, many women cope much better if they don’t try to relax during contractions. They feel
better if they move or vocalize during the contractions, or even tense parts of their bodies. It is
vital, however, that they relax or be calm between contractions;
2) the use of rhythm characterizes their coping style;
3) they find and use rituals, that is, the repeated use of personally meaningful rhythmic activities with
every contraction. "
Ohhhh! I feel a whole world has opened up to me in understanding labor.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Breastfeeding in Fiji
I am blessed to live in a country where family is of utmost importance. This isn't a cheesy sentiment; it's a way of life. Babies are especially treasured, and attention and affection is lavished upon any babe-in-arms.
The Fiji government distributes a Health Record Card to every baby born in Fiji, and on the card's cover is a Fijian woman nursing a baby who looks to be about 9 months old, as her husband snuggles up to the nursing pair and looks on lovingly. The mama's shirt is generously unbuttoned giving her baby full access to the breast. The caption reads, “Breastfeeding and regularly weighing your child is the best way of expressing your love and care.” The Feeding Schedule on the back of the card gives instructions that a baby should be breastfeed until the age of 2.
And get this! There is NO formula and NO bottles in public hospitals. Recently a baby was abandoned at a local hospital and there was a newspaper article discussing the sticky situation the nurses were faced with as there was nothing to feed the baby! The walked down to the shop and bought some milk (formula, hopefully) and fed the baby out of a cup! Possibly there should be a wet nurse on call for these situations. Indeed, my little adopted Myah was blessed to have been breastfed by a young mother (not her birthmother) until she came to us at six days old. I am so grateful for that young mother selflessly giving Myah the best start possible, even as she took care of her own wee baby. The best part is that Myah was “plug and play” when she arrived in my arms, and breastfed until she self-weaned just after her first birthday.
I’ve nursed all four of my babies in public in Fiji, and have never had so much as a disapproving glance. (Okay, I admit I could be happily oblivious, but still). I’ve nursed in doctor’s offices, restaurants, theatres, market booths, boutiques, meetings, parks, government offices, the beach, parties, the ambassador’s residence, the U.S. Embassy, and I’ve even nursed walking down the street in the capital city. And all around me I hear the chorus of “Vinaka…Vinaka….” Thank you…good…beautiful…..
The Fiji government distributes a Health Record Card to every baby born in Fiji, and on the card's cover is a Fijian woman nursing a baby who looks to be about 9 months old, as her husband snuggles up to the nursing pair and looks on lovingly. The mama's shirt is generously unbuttoned giving her baby full access to the breast. The caption reads, “Breastfeeding and regularly weighing your child is the best way of expressing your love and care.” The Feeding Schedule on the back of the card gives instructions that a baby should be breastfeed until the age of 2.
And get this! There is NO formula and NO bottles in public hospitals. Recently a baby was abandoned at a local hospital and there was a newspaper article discussing the sticky situation the nurses were faced with as there was nothing to feed the baby! The walked down to the shop and bought some milk (formula, hopefully) and fed the baby out of a cup! Possibly there should be a wet nurse on call for these situations. Indeed, my little adopted Myah was blessed to have been breastfed by a young mother (not her birthmother) until she came to us at six days old. I am so grateful for that young mother selflessly giving Myah the best start possible, even as she took care of her own wee baby. The best part is that Myah was “plug and play” when she arrived in my arms, and breastfed until she self-weaned just after her first birthday.
I’ve nursed all four of my babies in public in Fiji, and have never had so much as a disapproving glance. (Okay, I admit I could be happily oblivious, but still). I’ve nursed in doctor’s offices, restaurants, theatres, market booths, boutiques, meetings, parks, government offices, the beach, parties, the ambassador’s residence, the U.S. Embassy, and I’ve even nursed walking down the street in the capital city. And all around me I hear the chorus of “Vinaka…Vinaka….” Thank you…good…beautiful…..
Thursday, May 22, 2008
What does the Bible REALLY say about childbirth? Pt. 1
I am going to state here for the record that I believe the Bible to be the true infallible word of God. I've been amazed at the wide range of Childbirth material and enthusiasts out there in terms of faith and spirituality (and I feel I've only scratched the surface). I think it is clear to most childbirth enthusiasts that birth is primarily a spiritual event, and only in part a medical event. However each mother (doula, author, educator, midwife, doctor...) interprets the spiritual nature of birth through the "goggles" of her own belief system.
Let me diverge for a moment and express that one thing I love about birth is that it affects every single human being. We've ALL been born, right? And nearly half of us will give birth at least once. The vastness of cultural birthing ideology and methods is an entire field on its own, and I only touch on it now to say that those differences (and similarities) are beautiful and God-given.
Returning now to the Bible, I believe its truth is for all of humankind, just as God created all of humankind, and just as he sent his son Jesus to be the Messiah; to lay down His life that we might have life abundant and eternal. This is NOT to make humankind alike one culture to another, but to unite us under the banner of Christ's love and forgiveness.
One of my dearest books is an out-of-print volume entitled The Joy of Natural Childbirth by Helen Wessel, the Fifth Edition of Natural Childbirth and the Christian Family. If you are a Christian with an interest in Childbirth, whether personal or professional, you would do well to get your hands on this gem! The book is divided into two parts, with the first telling the story of a newlywed couple named John and Mary as they learn about marriage, reproduction, pregnancy and birth. It is a quaint and old-fashioned story, but there is so much well researched information about natural family planning, natural birth, and studies of birth and the Bible. The second half of the book is non-fiction, also rich in Biblical perspective for natural childbirth. This book opened my eyes to the real meanings of the original Greek and Hebrew words in some passages regarding childbirth. (Unfortunately some of the English translations of the Bible have been affected by Western notions of childbirth as a painful curse to be feared.) Here is an excerpt (p. 92)
"Why don't we look at Genesis 3:16 and 17?" John opened his own Bible to this passage, sharing it with Mary. The pastor began reading from the King James Version, pointing out the underlying Hebrew word:
Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow (etsev) and thy conception; in sorrow (etsev) thou shall bring forth children.
"Do you notice that the word 'curse' is not used here, and neither is the word 'pain'? But now, let's compare what God says to Eve with what he says to Adam in the following verse:
And unto Adam he said,...cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow (etsev) shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life."
"The Hebrew words are the same for the man and the woman!" Mary exclaimed.
"Yes, they are. But have you never noticed that the English words, 'sorrow' for Eve and 'sorrow' for Adam are also the same? Notice, too, in the context, that the word 'cursed' is used of the ground and the serpent, but not of Adam or Eve. Look now, in the margin of your Bible, at the alternate translation for 'sorrow' in reference to Adam. What is it?"
"It says 'toil,'" Mary answered, looking over John's arm to read the smaller print. "That means hard work. Why, pastor!" she exclaimed again, "that's exactly what Carolyn told me giving birth is like. She said it's hard work! But why is the word 'toil' not in the margin for the woman too, since the Hebrew word is the same for her as for Adam?"
"There's no good reason, Mary," Mrs. Dirkson commented, "except that the translators are influenced by the attitudes of the cultures they live in."
Pretty amazing, huh? So the next time someone asks you about "The curse of childbirth" - tell them there's no such thing!
Let me diverge for a moment and express that one thing I love about birth is that it affects every single human being. We've ALL been born, right? And nearly half of us will give birth at least once. The vastness of cultural birthing ideology and methods is an entire field on its own, and I only touch on it now to say that those differences (and similarities) are beautiful and God-given.
Returning now to the Bible, I believe its truth is for all of humankind, just as God created all of humankind, and just as he sent his son Jesus to be the Messiah; to lay down His life that we might have life abundant and eternal. This is NOT to make humankind alike one culture to another, but to unite us under the banner of Christ's love and forgiveness.
One of my dearest books is an out-of-print volume entitled The Joy of Natural Childbirth by Helen Wessel, the Fifth Edition of Natural Childbirth and the Christian Family. If you are a Christian with an interest in Childbirth, whether personal or professional, you would do well to get your hands on this gem! The book is divided into two parts, with the first telling the story of a newlywed couple named John and Mary as they learn about marriage, reproduction, pregnancy and birth. It is a quaint and old-fashioned story, but there is so much well researched information about natural family planning, natural birth, and studies of birth and the Bible. The second half of the book is non-fiction, also rich in Biblical perspective for natural childbirth. This book opened my eyes to the real meanings of the original Greek and Hebrew words in some passages regarding childbirth. (Unfortunately some of the English translations of the Bible have been affected by Western notions of childbirth as a painful curse to be feared.) Here is an excerpt (p. 92)
"Why don't we look at Genesis 3:16 and 17?" John opened his own Bible to this passage, sharing it with Mary. The pastor began reading from the King James Version, pointing out the underlying Hebrew word:
Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow (etsev) and thy conception; in sorrow (etsev) thou shall bring forth children.
"Do you notice that the word 'curse' is not used here, and neither is the word 'pain'? But now, let's compare what God says to Eve with what he says to Adam in the following verse:
And unto Adam he said,...cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow (etsev) shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life."
"The Hebrew words are the same for the man and the woman!" Mary exclaimed.
"Yes, they are. But have you never noticed that the English words, 'sorrow' for Eve and 'sorrow' for Adam are also the same? Notice, too, in the context, that the word 'cursed' is used of the ground and the serpent, but not of Adam or Eve. Look now, in the margin of your Bible, at the alternate translation for 'sorrow' in reference to Adam. What is it?"
"It says 'toil,'" Mary answered, looking over John's arm to read the smaller print. "That means hard work. Why, pastor!" she exclaimed again, "that's exactly what Carolyn told me giving birth is like. She said it's hard work! But why is the word 'toil' not in the margin for the woman too, since the Hebrew word is the same for her as for Adam?"
"There's no good reason, Mary," Mrs. Dirkson commented, "except that the translators are influenced by the attitudes of the cultures they live in."
Pretty amazing, huh? So the next time someone asks you about "The curse of childbirth" - tell them there's no such thing!
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
CD/CBEd in training!
It's official! I just began my combined course with Childbirth International. Upon completion, I'll be a Certified Doula and a Certified Childbirth Educator. I think I'll enjoy the courses very much. The prospect of being a birth professional is absolutely a dream for me! SO excited to be taking this step towards....
Monday, May 19, 2008
The 5 Ws of water & spirit
Who: Me, Lindy, wife to Kris and mommy to four under five. Unashamed follower of Jesus Christ, the Author of life and birth.
What: A place for me to share my passion for natural childbirth, record my journey to becoming a doula and childbirth educator, and explore the vast culture of pregnancy, birthing, and associated topics.
When: While my kids are napping.
Where: Overlooking the Pacific Ocean in our wooden South Pacific farm house. Or floating in the galaxy of cyberspace.
Why: Because my husband is gracious enough to hear my natural childbirth rants and maybe others will be too.
What: A place for me to share my passion for natural childbirth, record my journey to becoming a doula and childbirth educator, and explore the vast culture of pregnancy, birthing, and associated topics.
When: While my kids are napping.
Where: Overlooking the Pacific Ocean in our wooden South Pacific farm house. Or floating in the galaxy of cyberspace.
Why: Because my husband is gracious enough to hear my natural childbirth rants and maybe others will be too.
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