Some thoughts on Unassisted Birth
For those of you who don't know what unassisted birth (UC) is, it is giving birth without the presence of "medical professionals" such as a Dr. or a Midwife. Some believe true unassisted birth is when a mom gives birth alone "solo birth" or with just her husband "couples birth". If you really think about it though, no birth is unassisted because every birth is attended by God, the creator of birth itself.
I gave birth to my 3rd with just myself, my husband and my 2 kids (ages 3 and 1) present.
I think the question that most people have is . . . is birth without a Dr. or a Midwife safe??
Personally I believe that yes, absolutely it can be.
Birth was designed perfectly by God. Our bodies are designed to grow a child, birth a child, and nourish that child after birth. What an amazing and miraculous thing!! When He created man and woman to go forth and multiply, He did not also create Dr. and Midwife to assist them. But there are a lot of things that God did not "create" for us that we came upon ourselves, out of need or want etc. Just because God did not "create" Dr's and Midwives doesn't mean they are a "bad" thing. We certainly read about midwives in the Bible, so we know that some people did use them back then. However, they were not nearly as wide spread and not the "norm". When it came time for a mother to give birth she simply did what was needed to do. We can only assume that Mary herself gave birth to Jesus unassisted, with just the aid of her husband Joseph. If unassisted birth was good enough for Gods son then it certainly can't be a bad thing.
I don't believe that Gods inherent design of birth included midwifes, not just because birth has taken place without them from the beginning, but also because He designed it to proceed perfectly with no interference or help from us (the birthing mother included, as she need not do anything to make it happen). However I don't believe that if someone chooses to use a Dr. or Midwife that they are somehow thwarting Gods plan. On the other side, simply because we now have access to Dr's and Midwives for our births, does not mean that then are necessary for everyone, nor does it mean that if you choose not to use one, you are somehow irresponsible.
People who choose unassisted birth do so for various reasons. Some have bad hospital experiences, others just see it as being the most natural and instinctual way to birth, some can't find a midwife to attend their homebirth, others couldn't imagine having someone other then their husband at such a private event, and then there are those who feel led by God to give birth unassisted. All people who choose unassisted birth do so cause they feel it is the right and best choice for them and their baby.
I will admit that there are probably some who come to unassisted birth who don't realize what a huge decision it is and are unprepared for the responsibility. However, I think they are very much the minority. Most people who choose unassisted birth do so after much research, thought, and prayer. It is a very personal decision and we take responsibility for every for it, as we do every decision we make for our families. I do believe that most people could give birth unassisted. I don't feel somehow "special" or "different" because I did. That said I don't believe that not everyone "should" give birth unassisted. There are some people that have health conditions that make unassisted birth dangerous for them and their children. And while I believe that God designed birth perfectly and that it is safe, I do know that sometimes there are exceptions to the rule and there is the rare chance that a complication could arise which would make giving birth at home or staying home not the best choice. Also, I know that some people just don't want that kind of responsibility upon themselves, and for them, homebirth with a good hands off midwife might be a better option.
Most who choose unassisted birth believe that birth is a natural event. They are very in tune with their body and baby, have excellent nutrition, and do their own form of prenatal care (or have back up care with a supportive midwife). They educate themselves on the rare but potential "complications" that could arise in birth and are prepared to deal with them should they arise. And if a "problem" is beyond their expertise they are willing and able to seek help if needed. They take the reasonability very seriously.
Why do I believe that unassisted birth is safe? I do not believe God made a mistake when He designed our bodies to give birth without help from others. Many "problems" that may have been seen in birth so many years ago can be attributed to things like poor nutrition, unsanitary living conditions, disease etc. not birth itself. I believe God designed birth to occur naturally, and that He gave birthing mothers instincts in birthing. I believe that many of the "problems" that occur in birth today are the direct result of interventions by well meaning Dr's who are trained to look for "problems" and who view birth as a medical event, not a natural process. They are ignorant on the way natural birth is suppose to occur (which is different for every mother and cannot be generalized). If labor or birth somehow stray from what they consider to be normal, then a wide range of interventions take place. These interventions were never, ever suppose to be a part in a natural God designed birth, and the result is a labor and birth that is far from "normal". It is managed, and full of problems.
Birth is safe when women are allowed to be completely free and opened to listen to their instincts, body and baby, and when interventions are reserved for those very rare cases when they are truly needed. In most homebirths women are relaxed and free to listen to their bodys in birth. But many women cannot fully listen to their birthing instincts if they have a medical professional present giving advice, monitoring, checking progression etc. Some people WANT this extra reassurance and are grateful for the extra help. They want someone to take a bit of the pressure and responsibility off of them so that they can just relax for the birth. But others feel hindered by this and prefer to take all the responsibility upon themselves, and with their instincts, and their knowledge of birth and faith in God, they feel birthing unassisted to be safest for them and their babies. I do believe that the mind can greatly effect labor and birth, that is why I think it is so important that a woman give birth how and where she feels safest and that she prepare mentally for her birth. But I know that there are many variations of normal birth and I don't believe (as some do) that *all* problems are caused by the birthing mothers lack of faith. I believe that God also has a hand in things and that His plan may not always be our own.
What led me to unassisted birth? My first birth was a planned homebirth that ended up in the hospital after 3 hrs of pushing at home (due to excessive blood loss). I was fortunately able to ward off much intervention and push my little one out by myself, so in hindsight, the transfer ended up being unnecessary. I really had a hard time getting over the loss of my homebirth. I had very little intervention at that birth but I believe the problems that led to the transfer were directly related to the intervention that I had. I had thought about unassisted birth before my first, and it intrigued me. But I felt that there was no way I was ready for that. With my second I was on the look out for a very hands off midwife so as not to repeat the first birth (we had both learned from that experience, and I certainly don't blame the midwife as I really appreciate what she does). I had prayed, telling God that if I didn't find the right MW I would take it as a sign that I was to do UC. Though I was faced with the option of unassisted birth but still didn't feel ready for it. I felt my chances of transfer were greater (because of my fear) if I were alone then if I had a good hands off midwife there. Though I will say that by the end of my pregnancy I had grown a lot and I knew I could have given birth unassisted had I wanted. The home waterbirth of my second child was very healing. But still, things occurred that I ended up regretting later (interferences). It was an intervention free birth, but things didn't happen as I had hoped, and I allowed more help then I wanted. Regardless, I loved the midwife I used with my second so much and couldn't imagine not using her for more births. I figured perhaps UC was just not in Gods plan for me. A year after that birth though we moved away from the midwife I loved and I knew at that point, that I would not be looking for another midwife for my next birth. I didn't feel like going through the emotional journey of finding another midwife and bonding with her. Plus I felt my standards so high that no midwife would be acceptable. So I knew before getting pregnant with my third that I would finally give birth unassisted. I was a bit nervous about it but after praying for a few weeks I one day just felt an amazing peace and never felt fear or doubt again. I did my own prenatal care, meeting with my old midwife once so that she could confirm what I already felt, that baby was head down. I had her available by phone during the birth if needed. I also ended up meeting a lady (who is a friend) who lives 10 minutes from me who I found out use to be a lay midwife (how cool is that). She was also available by phone and was very willing to come to the birth at any time, either for emotional support or for her experience and help if I felt the need. I was very grateful to have these wonderful women willing to help me, but fortunately I didn't end up needing them.
My unassisted birth was an amazing experience. I grew a lot during that pregnancy. I was forced to have complete faith in my body and in God and to view things differently. But aside from being an amazing experience, it was also just so normal. It was like the birth was just a part of our everyday lives. We went about our day then had a baby, simple as that. There was no fuss made. We didn't have to pack a bag and head anywhere. No swarms of people came over (no one came over actually, for the whole 27 hrs of labor). There was no one here watching, waiting, monitoring or giving their input or suggestions on how I should be birthing. I was completely opened to listen to my instincts, my body and baby, to talk to baby and talk to God and to trust that He would guide me. I just went about my day between contractions and that night I had a baby. Despite the fact that my labor would have been labeled "dysfunctional" by Dr's (because it was never regular) it proceeded the way it was suppose to. It was extraordinarily normal, yet amazing as all births are. I thought maybe I would feel different somehow after doing it myself, but I really didn't, I felt more normal then ever before. What was different was that for the first time I didn't dwell on it. I was just happy and I had no regrets or lingering, nagging feelings about how it had gone. And though the labor was long, and irregular, and far from what I had imagined it would be (I figured it would be short being my 3rd) it was just perfect cause it was the was it as it should be. I would definitely choose UC for any future children, unless I felt God leading me in another direction.
I feel so grateful to have been able to experience natural birth 3 times, to be where I felt safe and able to be opened to listen to my instincts (which I did more with each birth). I am grateful that God gave us such wonderful instincts, and that I live in a time where we can educate ourselves to know what to do for most "problems" should they occur. And I am grateful that there is help for those very rare times it is needed.
I believe it is up to everyone to pray, educate themselves, and search their heart as to what direction they want to take when it comes to giving birth. God may not lead us all in the same direction, but you never know where He will lead you unless you are opened to listening to Him.
For more information on UC check out these sites
(I agree with most, but not all the info. in these sites)
