A Mother's Worth: Celebrating Motherhood by Susan Fierro-Baig

Released April 30, 2013


A Mother's Worth: Celebrating Motherhood is a 36 page, full-color, picture gift book.

A mother's worth is calculated by the deposits of love exchanged between her and her children: Not by examining her bank account. Mothers do many jobs for their families that they are never paid for. Their reward is in the form of love, not money.

A Mother's Worth: Celebrating Motherhood is a touching book that honors motherhood with engaging, color photos depicting many of the jobs that mothers do for their families and many of the precious ways children reward their mothers.

The book allows for personalization with an inscription page and places for adhering personal photos.
Because breastfeeding is a natural part of mothering one photograph depicts an infant nursing. The book promotes nurturing, attachment-style parenting and ethnic diversity.

Be sure to 'Like' the fb so you can be updated of the release and future discounts, promotions, and special offers!
 
https://www.facebook.com/AMothersWorth

Two purchasing options:

https://www.createspace.com/3885121
http://amothersworth.net

Christ-Centered/Spirit-Led Natural Childbirth Class Available Via Skype!

Whether you are pregnant or not, and regardless of the location of birth or attendants that you choose, if you would like to skype with me with the father, by yourself, or with a friend, I am available to share with you powerful information that can transform your birth and increase your faith. This class is perfect for doulas and childbirth educators, too!

I am the mother of 7 children that were all born naturally. The first two were born in the hospital with CNM's, the third was born at home with a lay midwife, and the last four born at home unassisted.

My first two births were scary and painful. I was able to give birth peacefully during my remaining 5 births because I studied natural childbirth more deeply and combined the natural childbirth information with biblical truths. I developed a Christ-Centered or Spirit-Led Childbirth philosophy of birth and began teaching couples in their homes.

I am also a trained doula and author of the soon to be published book,  A Mother's Worth: Celebrating Motherhood.

Cost: 2 hr personal skype session $40. Additional sessions available if desired for $20 per hour. Payment accepted via paypal. Contact me via email at mamabaig at yahoo.com if interested or FB message Susan Fierro-Baig

How to Prepare for Crowning & Prevent an Episiotomy by "Releasing"

_{With my first two hospital births I experienced serious pain and anguish. I realized after those births that I had been afraid of crowning. I believe this contributed to the pain.}

_{During my four homebirths, one-lay midwife assisted and four medically unassisted, I overcame the fear of crowning by learning to RELEASE! There is a huge difference between Releasing your baby and pushing your baby out!}  

_{I didn’t tear with any of my 7 births. Even though each of the nurse midwives during my two hospital births had their episiotomy trays in reach and were prepared to perform the “epi,” they conscientiously worked to support my perineum with warm towels, and helped prevent the “need” for cutting me.  And I did not feel a physical urge to push aggressively with these births, although mentally I expected to have to bear-down since that is stereotypical..}

_{Fortunately, the midwives did not demand that I push, but rather encouraged me to breathe through the contraction’s and just give a slight push with the delivery of the shoulders. Had I followed my mental preconceptions, and pushed aggressively, or had a practitioner who pressured me into pushing, I may have torn, or received an episiotomy. An “epi” may have been required if I had pushed and caused the skin to stretch unnaturally.}

_{The lay midwife at my homebirth applyied warm towels and oil to prevent tearing, and she also did not demand that I push the baby out.}

_{My largest baby, born weighing about 8lbs 1oz, was born unassisted and hot towels and oil were applied to my bottom to support my perineum. During this birth I didn't bear down at all, despite his size, nor did I end up with even so much as a nick to my perineum.  During the last 3 unassisted births no towels or oil were used as the babies emerged and there were no incidence of tearing at all.}

_{Although I have never tore, nor received an episiotomy, for me there was a huge difference between my two hospital births and my four homebirths when facing crowning. I was so terrified during my first two births and I know that this fear of the pain, and of tearing, at this point causes many problems that can actually lead to tearing or the perceived need for an episiotomy.   So what I would like to share with you is how *I* overcame the fear of crowning and was able to “release” my last four babies with ease, peace and joy.}

_{Being at home during birth is so comfortable and peaceful which facilitates the release of beneficial hormones so that labor is generally very different than when it is over-managed, and even just plain managed, in the hospital. Mine certainly were different, and as I said, one of the most noticeable things was not expecting to have to push, not feeling a physical nor mental need to push, and not being afraid of crowning.  I had spent two years learning and preparing myself emotionally, mentally and spiritually so that I might achieve this.}

_{During my first two homebirths I delivered my babies while sitting on the floor at the foot of a recliner chair, resting back against it During birth #4, with my eight pounder, when his head was ready to be birthed, I just leaned a little to the right and the baby slipped out with just the slightest little bearing down with the shoulders.  As I sat on the floor (on bedding and waterproof materials) I concentrated on my holding back, not being tense, opening up both physically and SPIRITUALLY.  It also helped that my husband applied oil to my bottom and we had a crock-pot with hot water for rotating compresses (thus they were always so warm and soothing.)}

_{With my last three UC’s I did not apply oil nor use compresses.  I was in the tub for a long period of time, however, during labor.  During my fifth birth the baby was born immediately after leaving a tub of water.  I exited the tub, stood leaning onto the sink and the baby slipped out into her daddy’s awaiting hands, without ANY bearing down effort on my part.}

_{During my sixth birth I was on my hands and knees and I did feel an urge to push a little with the contraction as the baby’s head and shoulders emerged in two contractions.}

_{My seventh birth was similar. His head and body came barreling through the birth canal without any pushing on my part. I only pushed a little as his feet were born.}

_{With these latter births I really concentrated on working with the process, listening attentively, inwardly and opening up like a blossoming flower.}

_{The main thing that helped me during my home births was the spiritual element, or applying the gospel.   I have found the most important gospel principle to apply to birth is offered by the Apostle Paul, in 1 Tim. 2:15, which states, “Notwithstanding, she will be saved if they continue in faith, charity and holiness with sobriety.”  A brief summary of what this counsel means to me is as follows:}

_{Faith- In order to release ourselves to the process of birth we must trust God, (and our bodies which He created and designed to give birth.) We must trust all the scriptural promises that attest that we can overcome the distress of Satan through the Lord’s deliverance. Through this trust, we can relax, breathe and allow ourselves to enjoy all of the sensations, even the powerful ones, and know that we will be victorious.  We stay in “control” of the strength of labor, by releasing ourselves to it and not fighting it.}

_{Charity- Christ gave us an example to follow in releasing our will to that of the Father’s and trusting  that we will overcome our trials. He did this when in the Garden of Gethsemene He said, “Father, let this cup pass from me, nevertheless, not my will but thine be done.”}

_{When we allow ourselves to be guided, comforted, and directed by the Holy Ghost,(which can prompt us to know which position, and what to do during birth, and also strengthens and comforts us), we can then let the process run its course and we can go along with it instead of wrestling against it.} 

_{Christ was able to do this out of His great love for us and His love for (and obedience to) Father in Heaven. We must draw on our love too and remember that love is a vital emotion to birthing successfully.  Feelings of anger, fear, inhibition, and powerlessness, are of the adversary, and are his tools for throwing us off the path.  They are signposts that can be recognized as a signal that something different needs to be done.}

_{These signs usually mark the phase of labor known as transition.  During my first unassisted birth, upon hearing the words in my head, “I can’t do this anymore,” and simultaneously feeling cold, I immediately understood that I needed to something different.  After crying out to God for added strength, I jumped up and ran to the bath tub and filled it with piping hot water.  I was immediately soothed and able to release again.  I knew that I was at a fork in the road where I would either tense up and start fighting the labor process, or I would do something to help me stay open as well as receptive to the Spirit.}

_{Holiness- When in the Garden, Christ who obediently released his own will, and remained holy, was comforted by angels.  When we do all we can to stand in faith, and charity and are obedient to God’s commands, our labor is sanctified (set apart for a sacred purpose and made Holy), and we too can be comforted. We are not alone during birth. God is with each of us through the ministrations of HIs Spirit and angels. It is interesting that 1/3 of the host of heaven is on our side! In order to have these blessings we must seek them out and we do so by prayer and obedience.}

_{I would encourage you and your husband to pray together and dedicate this birth to the glorification of the Father and His Son. This dedicatory prayer is symbolic of a life dedicated to following the example of the Savior, and I think, marks your “door” against any evil influences. It is also important to spend time with your husband regularly reading scripture related to God’s promises that can be applied to the birth, such as Isa. 44:3, 24:41:10, 13;}

_{40:28-3;46:3-4.}

 _{I believe we need to RELEASE during birth and not push aggressively.  If we need to push hard something may be wrong. Most likely we need to be in a different position, or we are not relaxed or releasing enough. Instead, we may be afraid and not trusting. I think birthing at home allows us to feel more secure, more at peace, more in touch with God, and more love, and we are better able to “let go.” In the hospital this is usually interfered with and we hold back.  How counter productive- to be holding back subconsciously and pushing physically at the same time!}

_{It must be stated that a woman in tune, and relaxed and in all the right circumstances may feel a strong physically and spiritual urge to push aggressively.  It is definitely possible that a woman may feel an urgency for her baby to be born.  I have heard of women in the hospital feeling an urge to push during delivery and being told not to push because the doctor hadn’t arrived yet. I have heard of women at home feeling the urge to push and the baby was born with the cord tightly wrapped around its neck.   There are legitimate reasons for a woman feeling the need to push aggressively.}

_{What I am focusing on is that during birth a woman left to birth according to her own desires and the dictates of her body and soul may not feel an urgency to push hard.} 

_{Forcing a baby to be born via strenuous pushing, or bearing down, when the woman does not feel an urge to do so is called “coached pushing.” This often happens in conjunction with unnatural positions for delivery, which can cause tearing or the perceived “need” for an episiotomy.}

_{I once heard Laura Shanley, author of “Unassisted Childbirth,” state that pushing during birth is kind of like pushing during a bowel movement. If during a bowel movement you have to strain and bear down aggressively then something is wrong.  During both of these eliminative processes we should only have to give a slight push, if any.}

_{The way I see it, we need to prevent ourselves from getting “constipated” during delivery, so that our body can move our baby down and out of our womb and the birth canal, with minimal effort on our part.  Just as there is much that can be done to prevent out digestive system from getting constipated, there is much that can be done to prevent the need to push hard or require assistance during labor.} 

_{I do not deny that many times a woman whose labor has not been interfered with, is able to birth in the position of her own choosing, and who is able to achieve a state of being wherein she is in tune with her body and able to listen to the still small voice (which guides a woman to know what is best for her and her baby), will feel the need to push her baby out aggressively.  When such a circumstance does occur it is often the result of cord wraps or birthing a very large baby. In such cases pushing hard may be necessary and the woman will feel her body urging her to do so.  It is pushing without the urge to do so that is counter productive and even harmful.}

_{The opposite of coached pushing it physiologic pushing. Rixa Freeze, author of the True Face of Birth blog writes this about pushing:}

_{…it's called physiologic pushing, in which the woman follows her bodily cues and pushes only when and how her body tells her to. Physiologic pushing has a fairly characteristic pattern: the woman usually will not hold her breath, but instead will push for shorter intervals while exhaling or grunting; she generally uses open-glottis pushing, as opposed to the closed-glottis pushing of the Valsalva technique.}

_{I have written an article entitled, ”Vocalization: A Powerful Laboring Tool.”  In it, I discuss the spiritual and physical benefits and significance of vocalizing as well as a scriptural reference to it.  Vocalizing helps a woman to manage pain- or raise her threshold of pain. Vocalizing is also a birth “tool” that can assists us in continuing in faith during labor by allowing us to be introspective and open instead of distracted by patterned breathing taught by Lamaze.}

_{“Vocalizing” is not about being quiet or non-offensive to others, it is about effectively making a vocal sound.  It is an effective means of moving the energy out that gets pent up in the uterus.  Of course screaming will alleviate some of the pent up energy, but it is not as effective and tends to be a fear-based reaction, instead of a faith-based reaction.}

_{Screaming during birth is akin to wailing.  It can also be related to anger and excitement/fervor. All three of these feelings would detract from achieving the openness and introspection necessary to be fully in submission- fully released and open.}

_{Let me offer an analogy.  It may be a poor one, but it is all that comes to mind. If you were being attacked, flailing your arms at your attacker would be better than nothing. But if you learned how to make a fist and execute a punch, by standing properly, putting your weight into it and extending your arm correctly (can you tell my husband is a boxer!?!) then you are going to be more effective at defending yourself.  This is how I see vocalizing vs. screaming. I screamed/shouted during my first two births, and I vocalized during my last four. The latter births were hard work and uncomfortable, but not marred by the pain and suffering of the first two. The pain was always under me, never on top of me and I believe that vocalizing and the spiritual preparations are what allowed these births to be so remarkable, by the Grace of God.}

_{The following is a birth story, which attests that vocalizing during labor helps a woman overcome pain and prevent tearing.}

_{“A friend of mine had had a very bad experience having her first baby.  She was induced 15 days past her date and labour went on for 36 painful hours, with all kinds of pain relief, epidurals to no effect and finally forceps that left her torn up and stitched together with innumerous sutures. She had severe incontinence and urgency problems (both number one and number two) for over a year and seriously thought that she wasn’t going to be able to give birth again.  At the very least she was going to opt for a cesarean....}

_{Two years later she became pregnant again.  Somehow she had managed to get over her horrible experience and decided to give birth normally -given that labour would start naturally.  “Things can’t get worse than that, and I survived” was her attitude.} 

_{In case the doctors recommended induction, this time she would have a cesarean. When her time came she and her husband and son were at their summerhouse, 1 hour from the nearest hospital. She had a few contractions in the evening, but remembering the long hours last time, she went to bed.  She was only in slight pain.  Suddenly she felt nauseous and called for her husband to get her a bucket in case she would have to throw up. Shortly afterwards she had a bearing down sensation and realized that the baby was on its way.  Fortunately, the babysitter was with them already.  They got in the car and drove through the desolate forest for maybe 15 minutes.  All the while my friend was on all fours, vocalising in the back seat. Suddenly her husband was sitting upright, wild-eyed and euphoric, holding this tiny creature, born without tearing or anything.....”}

A Mother's Worth: Celebrating Motherhood

The "A Mother's Worth" Kickstarter fundraising campaign has been launched.

You can help me publish my first book with a pledge as little as $1. If you can't pledge you can still help by sharing this page and encouraging your friends to check out the campaign.

Please help spread the word about this inspirational picture book. http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1708113072/a-mothers-worth-celebrating-motherhood

 A mother's worth is calculated by the deposits of love exchanged between her and her children: Not by examining her bank account.

Feedback I have received from mothers who have read the book:

That was beautiful! R.B.
Beautiful gift Susan - thank you! L.G.
Beautiful! Thank you very much! J. L.
Lovely! S.P.
Awe, Susana! Well done. A. G.
So beautiful!! Absolutely loved it!  C.K.
I loved it, thank you M.O.
This was awesome! B. V.
LOVE it! Thank you for the heartwarming thoughts V.H.
That was beautiful. B. L.
Beautifully said - and guess what! The things you highlighted are the actual "wealth" we get to take with us to our mansions on high!  B. H.
I love it! J.J.
Beautiful concept. J.B.
Susana, it's beautiful, I love it!  M.S.

Thoughts On 1 Cor. 3:8

Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. 1 Cor. 3:8

Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. 1 Cor. 3:8

This reminds me that childbirth is designed to unify a couple. Together they work with God to bring forth a child. The man plants the seed, the woman nurtures it in her womb. This continues through labor and birth where they work together in their own way to bring forth the child.

Per God's design, in the post-partum phase, the mother continues to nurture the child and the father must assume the role of provider. The woman becomes dependent upon the man's provisions as her main objective is not to participate in earning income, but rather to focus her energy on nurturing and nourishing the child for the first two years of life, ideally.

This concept is difficult to accept for many couples. Some women value their independence and may not want to give up their income and freedom. Men may not want the responsibility of being the sole provider. There may be a power struggle.

Recently an expectant co-worker told me that she wouldn't feel like she was doing her fair share if she were a stay-at-home mom and that the father of her child would feel the same way. She also expressed concern over his ability to provide for them, even though he had a good paying job, because of his spending habits.

Couples in Christ must recognize the benefits of God's plan. The two must learn to trust each other, have faith in God and accept their knew roles. They can learn from Christ's example of submission to the will of the Father, both understanding there are times and seasons for everything under the sun.

God's design is beautiful and purposeful and we are rewarded according to our own work.

Click here to get Bible Inspiration For Pregnancy & Birth updates on your FB newsfeed.

Study Natural Childbirth Techniques Even If You Want An Epidural

I would like to help all pregnant women have better births. I know it is possible to give birth naturally without experiencing overwhelming pain. I'd like to share the knowledge I have gained after 18 years of studying childbirth and bearing 7 children with those women that I come in contact with IRL (in real life,) but I have found that most of the women I meet don't care to accept my offers. Instead they are content with planning a medicated birth or without preparing for childbirth at all.

Apparently, this is a new trend. A recent study published in the Journal of Obstetrics showed that increasingly women are foregoing childbirth classes and allowing their practitioner to make their decisions for them. Unsurprisingly, women who use a midwife are more apt to be informed about their options and the pro's and con's of birth practices.

Equally as unsettling as expectant women not studying childbirth for themselves, is that young obstetricians are more apt to prefer epidurals and c-sections than older doctors. If women don't study for themselves and they let the doctor have the reins they are setting themselves up for difficult experiences.

I have seen first hand the apathy that many women have toward childbirth study and planning on an epidural without knowing the risks.

For example, I asked a young woman who frequents the store I work at if she was planning a natural birth. She informed me that she was definitely planning on getting an epidural. I told her I was a mother of 7 and had given birth naturally and that I could teach her methods for dealing with the pain naturally. She declined.

The same story played out with another young woman. This woman was two weeks from her due date and I asked about her childbirth studies. She said she hadn't taken any childbirth class nor read anything about birth.

I pointed out that people have to study to drive a car, be shown how to use a microwave, and learn from a coach how to play baseball and childbirth isn't any different. She didn't budge: She was satisfied with her boyfriend's sister telling her what to expect.

A couple of months after my conversation with the first young woman I mentioned above, her boyfriend informed me that they had had their baby. I was very happy for them and after congratulating him I asked if she'd gotten through the birth without a c-section. He informed me that yes, she had. He then said, "The only thing is that she wasn't able to get the epidural when she wanted it, cause they made her wait, so she felt it all the whole time until the very end."

This is a perfect example of why women who are planning on getting an epidural should also study natural childbirth techniques. There are many reasons, besides waiting for either a woman to dilate to a certain point, or waiting for the anesthesiologist to arrive, that an epidural may not take the pain away.

Here are some helpful links that provide information on why expectant women should study natural childbirth even if they plan on an epidural.

5 Reasons to Learn Natural Childbirth Techniques by Jennifer Vanderlaan (Birthing Naturally.)
Discover Natural Alternatives To Epidurals a blogtalkradio interview conducted by Pastor Carla with a midwife.
Natural Birth vs. Medicated Birth by Brenda Lane mother and doula.

MamaBaig's Original Gossip Quotes Facebook Page

This new FB page I created has nothing to do with childbirth, but we've all dealt with gossip. Either we've been gossiped about or gossiped about other people. The MamaBaig's Original Gossip Quotes Facebook Page houses quotes about gossip penned by Susana Fierro-Baig.

Please visit the page, Like it, and share it on your profile with your friends!

Susana Fierro-Baig likes

MamaBaig's Original Gossip Quotes

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Recent MamaBaig On The Air Episodes

I have had several exciting conversation on my blogtalkradio show, MamaBaig On The Air, recently that you may enjoy.

A VBAC After Placental Abruption & Vertical Scar
Bronwyn, an LDS mother of 4 children, converses with host, Susan Fierro-Baig, about the placental abruption she experienced during her third pregnancy, the emergency cesarean section that followed, the emotional trauma that ensued, and how she overcame the trauma through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

Bronwyn also shares her victory over the vertical scar which makes a VBAC even more challenging and her son's miraculous recovery after being born premature at 26 weeks.

Read this post, Thoughts On Adversity & Expectations, (written 3 years ago on Spirit-Led Birth,) related to Bronwyn's experience.

Having A Supernatural Birth Experience
Host, Susan Fierro-Baig, discusses with Carrie, mother of 4 children, (3 living and one angel,) her birth experiences, the loss of her infant daughter, the impending birth of her son, and how her faith in Christ has impacted her journey.

A Born Again Doula
Doula, Shanon Purden, shares her call of being a Certifeid Birth Doula and a childbirth eduction advocate. She is a Born Again Christian, a mother of 2 children, and a Navy wife.

From Hospital To Unassisted Homebirth
An LDS couple share why, after two hospital births, they decided to birth thier next two children at home without medical assistance. They discuss how thier faith in the Lord impacted thier births.

Clicking on this button takes you to the MamaBaig On The Air page on blogtalkradio.com
Listen to internet radio with Susan Fierroxbaig on Blog Talk Radio

My Discussion With A Direct Entry Midwife From PA

Today I conversed with a D.E.M. on my blogtalkradio show, MamaBaig On The Air.

Jennifer McFarland is a Direct Entry Midwife, Certified Labor Doula, Certified Happiest Baby on the Block Instructor, Medical Assistant, Monitrice, Breastfeeding Supporter, and Certified Childbirth Educator (CIBI Imagery Birthing.) She provides prenatal care and facilitates homebirth and waterbirth for her clients in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Visit her website mybirthbydesign.com

Jennifer believes that birth is a very personal and spiritual experience, and respects the body's wisdom to do what it knows best. She happily serves women from all walks of life and in many different belief systems.

Listen to our conversation and share it with your friends by searching for MamaBaig On The Air on Facebook, or through the Spirit-Led Childbearing page on Facebook.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/susan-fierro-baig/2011/05/03/a-direct-entry-midwife-from-pa

Clicking on this button takes you to the MamaBaig On The Air page on blogtalkradio.com
Listen to internet radio with Susan Fierroxbaig on Blog Talk Radio

Advice For Achieving A Natural Birth

I want to address this question: What words of advice/wisdom would you give a woman considering a natural birth?

1) View natural childbirth videos, study the risks associated with epidurals and cesareans.
Listen to the blogtalk radio message Discover Natural Alternatives to Epidurals that Work.

2) As for pain in childbirth, I will share with you my beliefs. I consider it hard work and powerful. My two hospital births were overwhelmingly painful. I cried, wailed and was so afraid. But my five home births were NOT! I actually enjoyed them ALL!

The decision of location of birth and birth attendant is key to a natural birth and it is a decision that should be made after studying natural childbirth, home birth, Christ-centered childbirth (and even unassisted birth) then by pondering and praying. Let God direct you.
 
3) Study vertical birth. With my first home birth, when hard labor had begun, I thought, "Well, I guess I should lie down in bed." (Because that is what we all have been taught.) Well, I lied down and that REALLY hurt. So I got out of bed and that was the last time during that birth and all of my next 4 births that I ever lay down!!! Instead I spent my labors standing, swaying, kneeling and sitting (in the tub or on sheets on the floor, against the couch.)

4) Study vocalizing (not crying or screaming or saying negative things. But moaning, saying positive things.) This birth tool is amazingly helpful!!!

5) Use water.... hot bath, shower, hot towels on your lower back and perineum.

6) Use counter pressure. My husband applied counter pressure on my lower back/butt during 6 of my births. I don't walk during labor, I like to lean over the sink, or bed (while resting on a pillow, towel etc..) and sway my hips, (or get down on hands & knees,) and vocalize. Then my husband applies counter pressure. He is cued when my vocalizing begins.

7) Study what the Bible says about Natural Childbirth. Apply your faith in God to childbearing. Believe that God created you to give birth and that faith in Jesus Christ overcomes fear which hinders labor and increases pain in birth. What we think we create! Study childbirth related scripture. The Bible is the best childbirth book!

8) Learn about releasing instead of pushing during labor. During birth I really try to go inward and think about releasing and trusting and listening and praying. I believe that Jesus Christ set the example for us when he said, "Not my will, but thine be done." To me this means that we are to not to try to control our birth, but rather release to it. When we do this, by faith, we do not fight our body, we work with it!

9) Limit bystanders at the birth. Realize that privacy is vital! During my home births, not having strangers watching me during labor & delivery, no wires connected to me and someone's hand up inside me checking me every so often transformed my births. I was free to make noise, move as I wanted, and focus inward without distraction. Try to accomplish this as much as possible in the hospital.

10) Last but not least, study fathers at birth. Invite your husband to be an integral part of your birth! Men want to be their wife's knight in shining armor. They don't want to see their wife suffer in birth! They are uncomfortable being mere bystanders. If they are uneducated, have no knowledge of how to help their wife, no "tools" for birth, they will demand their wife be given something, anything to take away the pain! But with most men, if they are informed, and taught how to assist their laboring wife, they will rise to the occasion and be rock that she needs him to be during her most powerful, yet vulnerable, moments.

11) I have come to realize after many years of advocating natural childbirth, that many women who desire a natural birth but are not able to have one, end up struggling with feelings of failure, anger, and other negative feelings about themselves and God. It is imperative that natural childbirth advocates and women who desire one, acknowledge that our bodies are in a fallen state here on earth, and though faith and our mental preparations increase the likelihood of having a natural birth, our bodies may not cooperate!! We may experience complications.

It is imperative that expectant women prepare for the possibility of a birth that is contrary to their plans and desires.  Please do so by reading my article Thoughts on Adversity & Expectations.
Listen to my blogtalk radio interview with a woman who desired a natural birth but ended up having a placental abruption and a cesarean. She discusses her emotional trauma she experienced and how she overcame it.

Recommended Christian Childbirth Books

Not available on Amazon:

Born in Zion, Carol Balizet

Birth and the Dialogue of Love, Marilyn Moran

Choices in Childbirth: A Discerning Childbirth Guidebook for Christian Parents in the Making ( I was fortunate enough to be sent the original copy of A Discerning Childbirth by Pauline Dillard, many years ago. She also sent me a copy of one of her novels. I look forward to the new version of her book being completed.)

Recommended Books For Unassisted Birth

Not available through Amazon:

Emergency Childbirth: Gregory White