A change in jobs
Moving from a hospital unit
To assist birth at home.
Labor pains came gently
Through the night.
A skylight streamed morning light
As she labored in a rocking chair.
Her labor intensified.
She walked, groaned, clutched my arm.
Glad for my presence and
Words of encouragement.
I supported her work,
Noticing her intuitive movements.
I assisted her position changes
And massaged her back.
She knelt down and asked me to pray.
In the hospital we offered an epidural
Or a syringe of narcotic.
She asked me to pray.
" I prayed as she moaned
And released her body to waves of pain and pressure.
Her cries filled the air.
Her body pushed.
The doctor placed a supportive hand
On the emerging baby girl.
And lifted her to welcome arms.
The baby nuzzled her mother's breast.
I recorded the time of birth
And offered orange juice.
Morning light evolved to afternoon glow.
I marvelled at God's design." *
Her cries filled the air.
Her body pushed.
The doctor placed a supportive hand
On the emerging baby girl.
And lifted her to welcome arms.
The baby nuzzled her mother's breast.
I recorded the time of birth
And offered orange juice.
Morning light evolved to afternoon glow.
I marvelled at God's design." *
This is how I wish every birth could be. I don't think a birth like this can only happen at home, or without an epidural, or with only the religious. Births like happen when women have the support they need and a recognition that there can be meaning in birth. In this poem, you notice that both the nurse and doctor were attentive to the emotional needs of the women as well as the medical needs. This is what needs to happen.
No comments:
Post a Comment