Originally printed in Pride News Magazine
www.pridenewsmagazine.com – April 6^th, 2005  

Inspired by the news of new life from two good friends I wish to share my thoughts on pregnancy, birth and the miracle of life. In my own healing and wellness process I have gained a deep personal interest in the birth process and the magic that surrounds it. I believe that all women innately know how to birth a child, and that the process generally needs no help, just no interference. 

The following quote from Suzanne Arms (a natural birthing proponent) captures my passion for this subject and my interest in working with pregnant women and children.

If we hope to create a non-violent world where respect and kindness replace fear and hatred, we must begin with how we treat each other at the beginning of life. For that is where our deepest patterns are set. From these roots grow fear and alienation or love and trust.

The beginning of life (i.e. pregnancy, birth and the early years) is the time we can make the biggest difference in a person’s life, when the nerve system is growing and developing rapidly.  From before birth, until the age of five, a child’s nerve system is growing and learning at an astonishing rate. Neurological pathways are forming and building upon one another. This process is most intensive and more easily influenced during the early years of life, when our neurology is most flexible. When assembled, this neurological architecture defines the window through which we sense (physical), perceive (emotional), think (mental), understand (spiritual), and interact with the world. In an environment of love, safety and trust a child’s nerve system will develop optimally.

The birth process can be an environment of love, safety and trust; however, in today’s society pregnancy has become a diagnosis, a medical condition. The birth process has become medicalized to the extent that people are scheduling caesarean section surgery because they are unwilling or afraid to birth their children naturally according to nature’s schedule. In this medicalized situation the responsibility for the birth is moved from the woman to her doctor. In many cases, the doctor decides what position the woman should be in, when she should push or not push, and the doctor delivers the baby. The medicalization of the birth process has taken women’s power and trust in their ability to birth a child. Women have become disempowered in this natural and beautiful process that is the miracle of life. 

The same wisdom and intelligence that created the life growing in a woman’s womb does not abandon her when it comes time to give birth. A woman’s body innately knows how to birth a child and in fact, most of the time, the process should require no assistance or intervention of any kind. 

Women and their partners have a choice when it comes to selecting a practitioner who will assist them with their birth. The typical route that people take is to use a family physician or an obstetrician in this process. Most people go this route because they feel safe, or they do not know there is another option. Presently more people are turning to the services of a midwife for their needs. Many people are not aware that midwifery services are completely covered by OHIP.  

I personally plan to use the services of a midwife when I birth my own children. Midwifery is a profession that honours women and their ability to birth naturally. Midwives strive to use the least amount of intervention possible and allow the birth process to happen according to nature’s plan. Midwives provide exceptional service during pregnancy and birth. Women and their partners are always thrilled with the amount of time they have to spend with their midwife in the prenatal period, and during the birth process two midwives are by their side the entire time.

Midwives are an incredible source of information and education for parents to be. They work together with their clients to come up with a birth plan that everyone feels comfortable with. A beautiful thing about using a midwife is that women can choose to birth either at home or in the hospital, as midwives have hospital privileges. If you are pregnant or planning and would like to learn more about midwifery contact the Association of Ontario Midwives (www.aom.on.ca). Be sure to contact them as soon as possible as there are often wait lists involved. 

For those people who do not feel comfortable using a midwife, doula services are available. Doulas act as a source of information and support for people throughout the process and can be an excellent supply of empowerment. 

It is time for women to take back their power and change their conversation about birthing from “I can’t” to “I can”. Women were designed to reproduce and give birth it is a part of who they are. In choosing a birth assistant I urge people to trust in their own body and find a practitioner who will support and empower them in the process. Our children deserve the most peaceful, honouring and safe delivery into the world possible.

About the author
Allison Barriscale practices Wellness Chiropractic at the Café of Life in North Toronto. She welcomes your questions and invites everyone to explore their bodies’ potential for health, healing and wellbeing. She has a special interest in serving children, pregnant women and babies.

She can be contacted at (416) 728-7365, allison@cafeoflifetoronto.com, or visit her website at www.cafeoflifetoronto.com.