New Beginnings Doula Training

New Beginnings Doula Training
Courses for doulas and online childbirth education

Monday, September 28, 2009

A spiritual birth

"This was a new nursing role,
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." *

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.

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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.