Bear with me. There are some important points I feel I should make before providing the link to Sarah's story. Of course, you can scroll down and watch it right away, but I hope you will read and consider what I have written before you read her story.
So many women in our culture question their ability to give birth even with the help of a team of care providers, medical equipment, and all manner of procedures meant to control negative outcomes.
This birth story will, I hope, encourage women to trust the God-designed birth process. Yes, there is a place for OB intervention if a complication should arise. However, there is a large body of evidence that many routine "preventative" procedures actually interfere with normal birth and increase the rate of operative deliveries, health issues with mothers and babies, and breastfeeding failure.
The body of research supports the following with regard to optimal health for mother and baby during and after normal, natural childbirth:
- mother goes into labor naturally
- mother labors and births in the place where she feels the most safe (this can be home, at a birth center, or at a hospital -- or combination of these)
- there is no medication of any kind and for any purpose put into the mother's system
- she eats and drinks as she desires to be able to accomplish the intense demand on her body
- she utilizes a variety of positions for comfort; she is supported by someone who is knowledgeable about labor and birth (doula), and who has a "heart" for mothers and babies
- no medical procedure is done unless it is based on the research evidence and the benefits outweigh the risks in each unique labor or birth situation
- nothing is done because of the care provider's time constraints or preferences -- the mother and baby's needs come first ALWAYS
- the mother is cared for by a competent midwife (studies indicate certified nurse midwives as the primary choice here) or a physician who is knowledgeable about and comfortable with the natural birth process
- there is an obstetrician willing to take care of the mother when any indication that the birth is not progressing normally; mother and baby have quick access to stepped-up care.
- baby is born via the birth canal and is immediately placed on mom's abdomen (by care provider or the mother herself)
- no hat is placed on baby's head (this does NOTHING for a baby kept in contact with his mother and just gets in the way of the mother smelling and touching ALL of her baby)
- no suctioning of the mouth or nose occurs unless is become clear the infant can not handle its mucous. This takes at least one minute to determine.
- the cord is not cut until it stops pulsating -- or for least 3 three minutes
- baby is allowed to complete the steps which result in self attachment to mom's breast
- baby is allowed to breastfeed until he or she goes to sleep
- mother and baby are allowed to remain together -- under the watchful eye of an alert, attentive adult -- for the first nap and for as much of the first few days as mom desires
- baby's first bath is delayed for at least 8 hours, if not longer
- a vitamin K injection is not given immediately (wait until after the first breastfeeding), and is given while the baby is nursing (a comfort measure)
- all other normal newborn procedures are delayed until the infant has completed its first breastfeeding
- no newborn procedures are done until the parents have been informed of the pros and cons for their unique situation, and are based on best practices based on the body of research
- no artificial nipples, liquids, or baby milk is given to the newborn; baby receives nothing but his own mother's colostrum and colostrum/mature milk mix for two weeks
- baby is breastfed exclusively for six months; and finally, baby is breastfed for as long and mom and baby desire as solid foods are incorporated into the baby's diet.
Again, research supports each of these components of an "optimal" birth. However, we do not live in an "optimal" world. Problems can, and do arise, which require medical intervention. Sometimes the problem is brought on by common physician and hospital practices.
Still, some women in our culture are able to plan and experience this type of birth. These women have taken the time to learn about the pros and cons of various approaches to childbirth. They understand the "cascade" of interventions". They have become educated about different options they have as health care consumers. They have discovered a place of delivery and a support team which will allow this approach to birth. Most importantly, there were no complications occurring in labor which required meds or other interventions. The mother has tools and support she needs to manage pain without requiring medication, unless the she escalates from coping to suffering.
Many women are afraid of the pain of labor and do not have the knowledge and support necessary to cope with intense contractions. Some medical procedures and policies actually lead to increased discomfort and slower labor progress. The natural comfort techniques which have been shown to be very effective in coping with pain are not always suggested or available. Pain medication, including the use of epidurals, is the often the first, instead of last, resort to cope with pain.
In many hospitals today, there are government required surveys which are the basis for financial reimbursement. If patients do not give high ratings in all areas of the survey, the amount of payment to the hospital is reduced. One common question is something like "Was your pain always managed well"
This should be true in all areas of a hospital EXCEPT labor and delivery. Why? Because some mothers do not want their pain managed by epidurals or systemic medications. The mothers can't rate the hospital with a high score because the pain is part of the normal labor process. A better question would be "Was pain managed to the level you desired?".
Why does this matter? Because labor and delivery nurses, like nurses on all other units, have to try to eliminate pain for their patients. This is one reason so many ask the mother what her pain level is -- and ask it so often during labor. They usually suggest something for pain -- often an epidural. Laboring women are tempted to accept, even if this was not their original goal. When women are able to deal with their pain via natural methods and support, and are not tempted (or badgered in some cases) with pharmacological pain relief, they often will opt to avoid, or at least minimize the amount of medication they receive.
Because of direct and indirect education, and because of direct or indirect pressure during labor, many women doubt their bodies' ability to give birth without the need for medical intervention -- including medications as the tool for coping with pain.
In the "optimal" world, the health care system would provide enough trained nurses, midwives, physicians, and yes, doulas, to offer a "low-tech" birth to healthy, low-risk, mothers and babies in a variety of safe birth environments. There would be no governmental expectations which would influence pain control in labor an delivery. The health care team would be able to shift, as needed, to intervene when birth is not normal. They could also shift according to the mothers' desires for interventions -- once she has given informed consent.
I wish more women could become more confident in the way their bodies have been designed to give birth. If they understand this amazing process, if they had quiet, capable support, and if they knew medical help was available IF it was needed, I think the C-section rates would drop and the exclusive breastfeeding rates at three and six months would rise significantly.
The medical system can do so much more to improve birth and breastfeeding experiences for mothers and babies. The knowledge and technology for the critical cases is there. What is missing is understanding of and the ability to truly support the normal birth process.
The only exposure many women have to birth are stories and/or videos of "complicated" births, or births which were handled like a medical event which requires a lot of intervention. I hope that Sarah Nannan's birth story will help calm fears and dissipate uncertainty.
Even thought we live in an uncertain world, we have a God Who designed an amazingly detailed, yet very functional way to deliver and protect our babies.
I am NOT saying that all women should give birth like Sarah did. I just want women to see that God made us strong and capable to give birth without any help at all -- other than confidence in His love and sovereignty. When help is needed, we can be grateful it is available.
Knowing God made us capable can encourage women who, like Sarah, give birth WITH a supportive health care team in attendance.
Confidence is one's ability to give birth goes a long way in achieving that outcome. Christian women have reassurance that a sovereign, wise, and loving God is in control.
Sarah's story is enhanced by a photo slide show of her remarkable birth, so decide if you want to scroll past or not. I personally found it beautiful, but I am used to seeing birth and birth images.
Learn from Sarah how a woman can accept and rejoice over the birth process. Even though she does not reference Him, you can still marvel at how wise and loving is our God. Grab a tissue because your emotions may surge -- especially when you learn, as Paul Harvey would say, "the rest of the story". Once you have seen it, I would not be surprised that prayers for Sarah and her precious children ascend on their behalf.
Sarah, thank you for sharing your story with all of us.
http://www.improvingbirth.org/2014/03/sarah/
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