Childbirth

The question of childbirth has, until now, not interested feminist movements. It seems like there is nothing more to ask : we are released from the pain our grandmothers felt (God bless the epidural !), we are not afraid to meet Death during or after birth as many women did in the last centuries and which continues to happen to lots of women in poor countries (mostly in Africa). And yet, for a few decades, there has been a voice crying louder and louder that there are women who want something different.

Nowadays, more and more women ask for more respect for themselves and for the physiological process of birth. Sometimes called "Natural birth extremists", they are often told as crazy or hippies and must bear the mokery of some doctors and hospital midwives.

You feel safe in a medical place ? You would not birth without an epidural ? You already experienced this before and you felt satisfied ? You do not feel concerned and think that we exaggerate ? Take the time to read the headings about this subject (in particular the one about physiology) and you may be surprised by what it will probably awake in you. Because you know, in the deepest part of you...

Birth takes place in the sexual life of a woman. Its link with sexuality (in the largest meaning) is physically established (the baby goes through our sex to be born) but also emotionally. It is especially true for women who suffered from incest, rape, abortion, etc. These traumatic events may disturb the physiological process of birth as these women feel pain and should however agree to open themselves to let the baby go trough their sex. It is like the difference of enjoying sex and being forced to do it : on one hand you will feel pleasure, on the other hand, it will be a unmmeasurable and unbearable pain (in your mind and in your body).

It is particularly about this matter that we have being duped : the sexual dimension of childbirth has been completely erased. So everything is permitted : harsh lighting on our immobilized body, as we are lying on our back, thighs apart, several vaginal examinations without asking us if we agree, sometimes in a rough way, episiotomy as a normal procedure (in France almost 70% of women who have their first baby have their sex cut by a gynaecologist or a midwife), forceps in the case of indocility or lack of maternal cooperation...

The daily life of a common maternity hospital is the negation of our power, our knowledge and our desires. You are just a patient who must stay calm, shut up her mouth and do what the medical staff tells her to do (or you can ask very kindly without taking offense if the response is no). It is also a place where protocols, often in strong contradiction with the scientifical studies, are done in routine (see the AFAR bibliographical database - AFAR and the recommandations of the WHO for normal birth's care).

At least, think about what you really want (a birth plan) to be clear with your mind and lead the reluctant medical staff to realize that in this adventure, even if the birth is medicalized (by choice or necessity), you have your word to say, you are important, unique, with your own sensibility, way of thinking, beliefs, story, culture, fears and that you deserve to be heard and fully respected.

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Last modification : 07/10/2009 19:53:31 - © dechainees.com
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