Embracing My Values as a Birthworker

As I continue in my second full year as a birth doula, I have been contemplating my values as a birthworker. The most important value for me is physiologic birth. The ICEA (International Childbirth Education Association) defines physiologic birth as a birth where the baby is birthed vaginally following a labor which has not been modified by medical interventions. I wholeheartedly believe that God made women to instinctively know how to birth our babies. I also understand that medical intervention is at times the best option, even necessary, for the most favorable outcome for the mother and/or baby. That being said, I am convinced that physiologic birth could almost always be achieved, if given the chance. This may take some time, which leads to another one of my values: patience. 

In general, our modern society is rather time driven and hasty; wouldn’t you agree? Birth is no exception. The first thing that happens when a woman finds out she is pregnant is that she is given a due date, and the clock starts ticking. Policies are even developed around this rigid date, such as, in most midwifery practices, a woman will risk out of being able to deliver at home or in a birthing center past 42 weeks and 0 days. This can put tremendous pressure on the mother, her partner, and the care provider. 

Another way I value patience is during labor. Of course there are common patterns that have been observed over time which have created norms. I do my best, though, to enter each birth space picturing it as a blank canvas. It’s not easy! Potentially some phases, or all of them, will progress quickly. Perhaps not! If labor is one thing, though, it is unpredictable! Expectations must be set aside. Let’s trust our Maker with whatever your birth journey needs to be. I believe it is important for every person on your birth team, most of all you, to stay in the moment. One surge at a time, one breath at a time, and time must melt away.