What place does fear have in homebirth? What place does intervention-of any kind- have in homebirth?
I received the opportunity to explore these issues on a much deeper level throughout the past week, and I am infinitely grateful for that. It is amazing how, until you are really challenged on an issue, you may think you have it all sorted out! But when it really gets down to it, there is a lot of work to be done and a lot of self-realization to be discovered. In this case, I think my delving deep into these topics has proved beneficial, not only for me, but for the women I serve as well.
So, what place does fear have in homebirth, or midwifery care even? I venture to say it has no place. Sure, there is the idea of having a healthy respect for the processes of pregnancy and birth, and I totally agree with that. But respect is not fear. I argue that fear has no place–there is no situation in birth where fear is appropriate. Now, mind you, this is not a new realization to me but as I said has been tested on a new level. Because I realize that “fear” can take many forms; and I also realize, I am not interested and do not want to engage in any of them. But so many of them, especially in pregnancy and birth, are so prevalent in our society. There’s the fear of having a preterm baby, and then there is the fear of having a postdate baby.
There is the excess amount of information (mostly fear-based) on the internet for anyone to read.
But I realized this week, that when faced with a situation that could so easily become fearful, I have a choice and the mama has a choice with how to engage with each other–and the choices to be made. It’s easy to do–I have seen countless midwives (especially those like me, “licensed midwives”, and I have been tempted as well)–let fear creep in. Whether it is the state regulations that we must follow, or the fact that we don’t want anything “bad” to happen, we compromise our care by allowing fear to be a part of it. But really, it is about education, studying, using our intuitive gifts and acting in love. It is not a blind act of faith but one supported by information from all angles. And, dare I say, Divine guidance.
So, what can be done to educate and help us make compassionate decisions without worrying about all the excess information and possibilities? First, I think we do need to be aware of the risks and benefits of any situation and approach them honestly. For example, with a mama that is approaching the 42 week mark–how is that to be handled?
First and most importantly, a woman in that situation has got to be treated with love and respect. Once again, there is no place for fear as since that will be everyone else’s reaction, she has got to feel some groundedness and understand the reality of the situation (whatever that is) before taking on any kind of powerful emotional energy about it. Next, the obvious must be observed and assessed. How is the baby and her body handling being “late”? What about the dates? Seems obvious, but many, many “late” babies are simply a result of late ovulation. What are the options and why are they being considered? If it is simply a matter of dates and nothing else, or legal regulations, I call that fear. On the other hand, if there is something that does seem like it warrants investigation, whether it be clinical or intuitive (on my end or mama’s end) then I see that as necessitating a fear-less and valid “intervention”.
But even “natural” interventions, such as herbal inductions, for example, can be done in fear. Just because it is “natural” does not make it fear-less, or really any more acceptable. Without reason or indication, it can communicate to all involved that there is a need for something to be “done”–a fear that needs to be addressed.
As the resident “hippie” midwife here in Sedona, I have no problem coming out and saying it. All care in pregnancy and birth, by midwife or doctor, should be done in love and not fear. There are so many opportunities, even subtle ones, where our fear can play a place in decision making and ultimately really affect the mamas and babies we serve. I am learning every day how to be fear-less–I made the promise when becoming a “licensed midwife” a year ago–I refuse to practice in fear. As far as I can see, there is not a place where fear fits into what I do.
There is a place for compassionate, intelligent and intuitive care in pregnancy and birth. We do not control the process, but we do control how we face a problem and how we approach fixing it. When approached from this angle of love, we allow the Divine guidance and protection to become part of our reality-and the solution to whatever it is we are trying to solve.
