New Beginnings Doula Training

New Beginnings Doula Training
Courses for doulas and online childbirth education

Friday, August 7, 2009

Prayer

This is something I see quite a bit of during labor and birth. I am ashamed to admit that it never crossed my mind to ask for help from above, but I do see many other people do that. I think this gives a sense of peace to many people during birth. There is this idea that through prayer we are able to access divine help. Many times I have seen this gives moms a new sense of strength and awareness. There is also this sense that no matter what, your prayer has meaning....therefore, your pain, trials, and tears have meaning.

The other time I have seen lds women use prayer is in making decisions on choices to make during labor. Should I be induced, should have have medication, should I give birth at home or in the hospital. Here's one of my favorite blogs that shows how one woman incorporated prayer into her decision making. http://segullah.org/daily-special/at-35-weeks/ I think these kind of conversations with God, ourselves, and others around us is pretty typical of how our believe in prayer can change how we view birth.

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Birth is a Journey: Does it have to be life changing?


  • One woman might have to climb on an overfilled boat, risking her life and nearly dying as she escapes over the ocean to come to this land. This experience could certainly be life altering. It may very well color the rest of her life, positively or negatively. (I overcame this amazing struggle and here I am triumphant! OR Holy crap, that was SO hard I don’t know if I can go on! By the way, neither response is “right”. No one would judge the woman with the 2nd response.)
  • One woman may buy an airplane ticket, sit on a comfortable 747 and fly to America with a nice smooth flight and landing. She is happy to be in America. Those welcoming her are glad she is here safe and sound. She may only travel by plane 2-4 times in her life, so it is pretty memorable. But the journey itself probably wouldn’t be life changing; it would simply be a journey.
  • One woman may learn to fly an ultra-light plane to lead a flock of geese into America teaching them to migrate. This experience could certainly be empowering and life altering.