Generations conditioned to view Birth from only ONE POV

Assalamua'laikum,
 
Would you like to discover a different face of Birthing?

 

There are two ways to view Birth: The Medical View of Birth and The non-medical view of Birth.

The medical point of view of birth helps us to detect early signs of complications. This is good. BUT we also need to know the pro and cons of this medicalised view and management of birth.

Which is, what tends to "naturally" entail a medically managed birth? I.e for example, what is the consequence /risks of induction/pitocin, epidural, being made to lie down supine, not being allowed to move around, not being allowed to eat and drink, etc.
 
Some will defend these procedures citing its safety and benefits and refuse to see its adverse side effects. Everything in life has its pros and cons, no matter how much research is done. So-called "Evidence-based medicine" is not spared of risks and benefits.
 
One can bring a horse to water, but you can't make it drink. Making an informed choice involves being informed of the benefits and risks but it is entirely up to the individual what they choose to believe in, and the decisions they make.
 
Funnily enough instead of saying "I chose to be induced", some people frequently say:
a)"I was induced" or
b)"They induced me" or
c)"The doctor induced me" or
d)"I had to be induced because..."
 
The statements (a) - (b) implies acceptance (redha). Redha is good. 

But what they fail to see is that it is their right and in fact their responsibility to make efforts to choose what is good for them - and yes, with advice from their doctor (medical field).
 
We have been brainwashed and conditioned over generations that there is only ONE way to birth, and ONE view of birth (medicalised). By this I do NOT imply that the medical view of birth is 100% wrong and pure evil. I am merely stating that there is other views on birth which are just as evidence-based, scientific (and signs-tific).
 
There is more than one way to understand and view birth and it is not healthy to restrict oneself to one view on anything, not just birth.
 
But one can only bring a horse to water - but one cannot make it drink.
 

Reiteration: The medical point of view of birth helps us to detect early signs of complications. This is good. BUT we need to know the pro and cons of this medicalised view and management of birth. 

The negative side-effect of generations with one view of birth is that:

1. some of us are conditioned to be anxious of all the WRONG THINGS (complications) that might happen, thus results in a less an optimal state of mind (and body) to birth with

 

2. some of us are not brought up to seek information about how our bodies function (perfectly, in fact) during birth

3. some of us are conditioned to subject ourselves to the decisions or instructions of  "the knowledgeable expert on birth" without question "because they are the experts" who know better about our body and birthing.

I actually find it weird that such blind obedience and  "holistic", absolute trust in the OB-GYNs isn't alarming to people. I'm not saying doctors and medical workers do not deserve appreciation for their service, I am saying that it is a person's responsibility to seek knowledge and make their own decisions.

But some of us are either conditioned to put absolute trust in OB-GYNs when it comes to birthing, or it is simply so that their choice and decision is to heed and comply to all 'advice' of the OB-GYN. Well, again, one can bring the horse to water, but one can never make it drink.

Solution & Technique:

1. Seek knowledge on how the birthing body works: go to childbirth preparation classes or seek out books on natural, gentle birth. Learn about what can go right during birth (Mudah Bersalin tab on this blog)

 

2. Join support groups for natural, gentle birthing such as The Gentle Birthing Group Malaysia on Facebook

3.  Make do'a (supplication) that Allah will show us the truth and make it obvious and accessible to us.