My wife was scared. Adrenaline flowed, her cervix tightened, and the birth
of my first child was stopped.
Of course this happened. Throughout all of human history, the presence of strangers
in the birthing area was dangerous. So was the presence of a wolf, a hyena, or a saber-toothed tiger. The woman’s body
cuts off the birth. It’s painful, but it’s better than birthing into a hazardous environment.
In the
tribal days people knew what to do. Eliminate whatever was perceived as dangerous. Then use physical movement—the Hawaiians
used Hula to help women prepare, and similar movements during labor—to help the woman to relax. Once the adrenaline
had dissipated, the birth would proceed naturally.
In my wife’s case, she used an unusual method to discharge
her adrenaline. She punched a pillow. But it worked every time for her, and our two now-grown daughters are the happy result.
The moment of birth is arguably the most important in a person’s life. In an optimal birthing, the newborn
is instantly placed on his mother, nuzzling her breasts and feeling and hearing her loving familiar heartbeat. This produces
a happy, relaxed baby, which is a great way for the little one to begin life.
Women experiencing a tightened cervix,
and therefore pain and an extended period of labour, can almost always take care of this by rhythmic abdominal movements.
This can be like “horizontal hula.” Gradually the fear (even if it’s not on the conscious level, it’s
there! Strangers, loud noises, a new location, or….) and the adrenaline subsides, and the birth moves ahead.
Sadly, what do we do in many cases instead of this in modern hospitals when the mother experiences pain and a delay
in childbirth? Two horrible things—terrible, that is if unneeded. And in my experience, and based on my research, they
usually are.
The first of these sad events is that the woman is drugged. She is given some sort of pain-killer.
What is the result of this? The child is born High. The first message the newborn gets in his/ her new life is, “When
things get stressful or painful, use a drug.”
Usually the mother is never told of an option to the drugs.
She might even sign a form which includes a note about there being some possible side effects to taking the dose. To exercise
or move the pain away is not even mentioned. So the drug is used, and the child is born with the tendency toward a habit.
Research now is conclusive:
Children “born high” tend to have substance addiction problems later in
life. (Some of the research is in the bibliography.) That is, the unnecessary use of epidurals or other drugs at childbirth
have a lifetime negative effect on the child, and on society in general, of course.
Second, the painful delay
in delivery can also result in a (actually unnecessary) Caesarian Section being performed. This also of course includes drugs
to mother and to the child, with the same attendant negative consequences. Plus, why ever perform an unnecessary surgery onany
person? Claims are heard that “Caesarians are routine.” In fact, every surgery has dangers. Assertions are also
made, and statistics seem to prove, that women who have medical insurance have Caesarians much more frequently than women
who don’t. Sadly, there are reports that some physicians base the decision to do a Caesarian on the time of his or her
dinner engagement or golf date.
It seems evident that he following steps need to be taken
regarding child-birthing procedures:
1. Women should be educated regarding the “rhythmic
movement” method of pain and adrenaline release during childbirth.
2. Women should be offered the “rhythmic
movement” method as their first alternative should a painful cervix tightening and delay in the birthing process occur.
3. Should an epidural or pain-killer be deemed absolutely necessary, the minimum necessary dosage is used. (There
is research that shows that up to double the required amount is routinely administered by some health care professionals.)
4. Caesarian Sections should be a matter of medical necessity for the health and safety of the mother and child.
(It should not be a matter of convenience for the attending physician or medical staff, or a thing to regularly do with women
whose insurance will foot the bill.)
5. Upon being born the healthy baby is placed upon the breast of her
mother. Here the baby bonds with the mother, is warm, loved, supported, and hears the heartbeat that has been her constant
friend for some months. (The baby can be cleaned later. The fluids and birth matter, however unseemly, are natural and sanitary.
Most important is tohave the baby feel safe and loved.)
6. The birthing area itself should be safe and familiar,
and without harsh bright lights. Only a single mid-wife or physician in the same room as the mother in labor. (In case of
emergency, the other medical persons are in the next room, a buzzer and a few seconds away ifthey are required.) Midwifes,
physicians and doulas are not predators they are there to help the birthing mother have a safe birth.
The implementation of these steps in birthing procedures will help both the individuals involved
and our society as a whole in these ways:
· Women will have experienced a
more pleasant, satisfactory,natural, and loving birth process.
· Children will grow up feeling more
secure and more loved. (It is unloved, insecure adolescents and adults who have a hard time in life, and who subsequently
make life tough for others.)
· Children will mature into adolescence and adulthood without a pronounced
tendency toward addictive substances. · Families will be happier, and hence stronger.
·
Society will benefit from not having to deal with such a high percentage of addicts engaged in criminal activity to
support their habit. Similarly, there will be fewer suffering the ravages of the drug alcohol, which infects all members of
a drinker’s family.
