I think about this topic all the time, but I never really throw it out there. Going down the path of religion and its influence on our decisions has the potential of alienating readers. Sitting in church this week, I decided it was time to face this topic. This is my elephant.
In nearly every class I've taught since 2003, there has been at least one person/couple who is very involved in their church; ie. lots of youth ministers, music ministers, preachers, etc. Especially since moving to Texas, the majority of the people sitting in my classes go to church every week and are very vocal about their faith. They pray for each other. Some go to church together. They are mostly Christian.
When we talk about why they are choosing to give birth without medication, so many of these couples will express their belief that God made their bodies to give birth. It is a gift to be able to grow a life, birth their baby, and then to feed their baby with their own body. They have so much confidence and faith in Christ, it is very inspiring. I love these answers because I feel this same way.
The same is true of so many out-of-hospital midwives in this area. They feel "called" to midwifery. They pray with their clients and typically are very vocal in their faith. Faith in Christ and faith in the natural process of birth.
Our bodies were designed by our loving Father in Heaven to work perfectly to birth our babies. I do not believe for a minute that He meant birth to be a horrible, painful ordeal that we just "have to get through."
So, this brings me to my own life, and the things that I see with people around me. Truly, a Banned From Baby Showers experience, or existence, rather. I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, aka Mormons. I was raised in the Baptist church and converted to the "LDS" church in 1993. I have never been around a better group of people in my life -- truly, servants of the Lord.
I had a guy in class a few years ago ask if Mormons have natural birth because we don't believe in medicine. I actually laughed out loud! If he only knew the majority of my friends! Nearly everyone I know in the Church has an epidural! I am so saddened by this, and embarrassed. I rarely have members of my church in my classes. So many of us have several children, but don't understand why several c-sections is bad for mom and baby. Or why induction is not natural or healthy.
In several lessons I've heard in church, I've heard people comment on fear. Fear in general, of anything. Fear is not given to us by our Heavenly Father, but by Satan. Today it was brought up again, and the comment was made about making decisions that are fear-based. Of course, I associate everything with childbirth, and it's all I can do to keep my hand down and not make a comment related to childbirth! Talk about a fear-based decision! The only reason a woman chooses to have an epidural (before labor even begins!) is because she is afraid of the pain -- and has not prepared herself physically, mentally, or emotionally to not have the drugs.
But isn't it true? We have no confidence in our body -- that our Heavenly Father created for us -- to birth these (large) families. He created this process so perfectly, right down to the hormones released before, during, and after birth that help bond a mother and her new baby together. Fetal lung fluid levels prepare your baby to be born at the exact time he/she is ready to breathe on its own. The system works so well, the majority of the time, because Heavenly Father designed it to work that way.
To believe that medicine can improve upon the natural process, I believe, is to laugh in the face of our Creator, who designed this process so perfectly. Unless there is medical indication for induction or medication (and these do occasionally occur), we, as Latter-day Saint women, should learn from our other Christian counterparts, about trusting in and having faith in Christ and faith in our bodies.
I have seen the strongest women in the Church and in their faith in Christ, and that is why this baffles me to no end, about the nonchalant attitude about being induced and having epidurals. Sisters! Think about our pioneer heritage! Heavenly Father wants you to have this wonderful experience. It is a gift. You can do it! Don't be afraid.
I will go as far as mentioning the frequency of birth stories that I read from my students that talk about birth being one of the most spiritual experiences of their lives. Makes sense. This new spirit joining your family. How special to feel that moment. To be an active participant in bringing your baby forth into this world. I believe that this is what God wants for us as women.
I cannot let it go without ending with a quote from our beloved prophet who led the pioneers across the plains. Brigham Young said, "Would you want doctors? Yes, to set bones. We should want a good surgeon for that, or to cut off a limb. (!!) But do you want doctors? For not much of anything else, let me tell you, only the traditions of the people lead them to think so; and here is a growing evil in our midst. It will be so in a little time that not a woman in all Israel will dare to have a baby unless she can have a doctor by her. I will tell you what to do, you ladies, when you find you are going to have an increase, go off into some country where you cannot call for a doctor, and see if you can keep it. I guess you will have it, and I guess it will be all right, too." I do not know what year he made that statement, but Brigham Young died in 1879 when no one would have had a baby in a hospital or with a doctor.
Sisters! Brigham Young saw our day! He saw all the c-sections and lack of confidence we have in ourselves. He said women should "go off into some country where you cannot call for a doctor... You will have it, and ... it will be all right." When he made that statement, doctors did not attend any births! Now, only 8% of American births are attended by a midwife. Interestingly, Utah has the lowest c-section rate in the country.
And since I'm making comments about my existence and what I see around me... I see so many babies getting fed with a bottle. I assume it is formula, but it could be breast milk. Doesn't really matter to me. Why would you put breast milk in a bottle and drag that to church!? Just breastfeed your baby. Please. Your breasts are on your chest for the sole purpose of feeding your baby! Again, Heavenly Father must be so displeased with our culture of not using our body parts the way He intended.
I have probably angered people with this post. This is really not my intention. I needed to say these things. I believe them. I feel strongly, after years of research and seeing women transformed by birth, that there is no way it is a coincidence that womens' bodies work the way they do. Embrace birth and give thanks to your Father in Heaven who allows you to be co-Creator in the birth of your baby.
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