MY PHILOSOPHY

I do not ascribe to a particular birth philosophy, meaning I do not believe there is one right or best, enlightened or superior way to give birth.  I do, however hold certain beliefs about birth.  I believe we birth how we live.  It is neither reasonable nor wise to expect we will be able to labor and birth in a way that is foreign to our experience and personality, desires and beliefs.  As such, I believe that what every woman’s and partner’s need is unique and personal, and should be respected and celebrated.  The goal, then, is not to attempt to learn a certain “way” but to engage a process of self-exploration.  I believe that childbirth is a Rite of Passage and deserves to be prepared for, honored and held as a life changing experience for a woman and partner, involving and affecting the whole self.

As a childbirth mentor I seek to initiate an exploration of who you are and what you might call upon while giving birth.  I seek to be a companion as you discover your own deepest questions, to offer openness for a variety of options, emphasizing that your best ally is to birth in awareness where you will learn moment by moment what is called for and offer your full self to its unfolding.  As a doula, I seek to explore with you what might allow you to birth unselfconsciously, to respect whatever options resonate with you and remain present for you as you walk the labyrinth of labor and childbirth. 

The Philosophical Assumptions and Guiding Principles of Birthing From Within are foundations for the classes I mentor and the doula care I provide. 

1. Childbirth is a profound rite of passage, not a medical event (even when medical care is part of the birth).
2. The essence of childbirth preparation is self-discovery.
3. The mentor is “midwife” to the parents’ discovery process, not the experet from whom wisdom flows.
4. Childbirth preparation is a continually evolving process (for parents and mentors), not a static structure of techniques and knowledge.
5. Parents’ individual needs and differences determine class content.
6. Active, creative self-expression is critical to childbirth preparation.
7. The purpose of childbirth preparation is to prepare mothers to give birth-in-awareness, not to achieve a specific birth outcome.
8. Pregnancy and birth outcome are influenced by a variety of factors, but can’t be controlled by planning.
9. In order to help parents mobilize their coping resources, it is critical for childbirth classes to acknowledge that unexpected, unwelcome events may happen during labor.
10. Parents deserve support for any birth option which might be right for them (whether it be drugs, technology, home birth, or bottle-feeding).
11.  Pain is an inevitable part of childbirth, yet much can done to ease suffering.
12. Pain coping techniques work best when integrated into daily life, rather than “dusted off” for labor.
13. Fathers and Partners help best as birth guardians or loving partners, not as coaches: they also need support.
14. For parents, pregnancy, birth, and postpartum is a time of continuous learning and adjustment; holistic support and education should be available throughout that period.
15. Childbirth preparation is also parent preparation.