Reflection: Marriage between Medical Procedures and Natural Birth

Is a marriage possible between Modern Medical Procedures for Labor and Birth and the Traditional Outlook on Labor and Birth?

On one side of Birth, most probably known as THE (modern, up-to-date, safe) way to birth is:

1. - to have routine/monthly check ups, 
2. - monitored and tested and precautions taken to ensure the 'safest' and 'most healthiest' pregnancy, labor and birth for mother and baby
3. - admitted into the hospital upon finding a possible threat to mother or baby, i.e maternal health issues, fetus' developmental issues, etc
4. - given adequate, 'safe' procedures to 'monitor and save their lives'; and to let them have the best possible birth and post-birth experience i.e vaginal exams, enemas, CTG/EFM, induction, augmentation, labor pain management (Epidural, Pethidine, Entonox, etc), cesarean section.
5. - as emphasized, are a list of (routine) procedures done with the best interest of the mother and fetus at heart; as solutions to mortality of mother or infant in the (traditional) past practices

On another side of Birth, sometimes known as Natural Birth, is;

1. - sometimes having different definitions; to each her own definition
2. - bringing forward the negative side of what is known as the routine, 'safe' medical procedures
3. - attributes its knowledge to ancient wisdom of the old (traditional, cultural, folk, etc)
4. - sometimes also known as Gentle Birthing, Calm Birthing, and other terms like Birthing from Within, Childbirth without fear, etc
5. - some parties say that the necessary cesarean is definitely of Gentle Birthing as well; mothers are treated with respect and kindness, helped to bond and breastfeed, etc.

In my observation; the first change from the patterns of pregnancy, labor and birth in history has taken a route from the traditional, natural (birth) path for several reasons:

1. change of lifestyle, society, economy, industry, leading to a fear (or trauma) of childbirth in some people who demand for 'use of technology' in birth (twilight sleep, etc)
2. change of lifestyle, society, economy, industry leading to less exposure to the traditional birth practices
3. personal impacts on birthing trends (anecdotal info on the supine birthing position, the creation of the forceps, etc)

Ironically enough, some of the very result of these, though seemingly labelled as safe and as good intentions and innovations to SAVE the mother and baby, also causes trauma and fear of childbirth, leading to a turn-around to the original, traditional former birth practices in the era(s) before that.

MY QUESTION IS...
How do we marry the best of both worlds?

We cannot throw out all the traditional practices of pregnancy, labor and birth of the old times - nor can we use all completely in these modern times and;

We cannot throw out all the modern medical procedures or pregnancy, labor and birth of today - nor can we use all completely (yes, we can't. Because everything has its pros and cons. And yes, that includes natural/gentle/calm birth)

So what do we do?

We learn about both, we sift through the infomation gathered. And choose the best ones to suit us. How? What guide do we use? How do we sift and how are we guided?

The answer is, be mindful of Allah's laws, be dutiful to Him, and ask Allah for guidance.

I believe we have the answer in Surah Al-Anfal (8: 29) and the Hadith below: (these two are just examples of many examples)

ABDLH.YUSUF ALI's translation: O ye who believe! if ye fear Allah, He will grant you a criterion (to judge between right and wrong), remove from you (all) evil (that may afflict) you, and forgive you: for Allah is the Lord of grace unbounded.

MUHD M.W.PICKTHALL's translation: O ye who believe! If ye keep your duty to Allah, He will give you discrimination (between right and wrong) and will rid you of your evil thoughts and deeds, and will forgive you. Allah is of Infinite Bounty.

M.H.SHAKIR's translation: O you who believe! If you are careful of (your duty to) Allah, He will grant you a distinction and do away with your evils and forgive you; and Allah is the Lord of mighty grace.

Hadith Number 19 from Imam An-Nawawi's collection of 40 Hadith:

 

Abu al-‘Abbas ‘Abdullah bin ‘Abbas(ra) reported: One day I was behind the Prophet(saw)and he said to me:

O young man, I shall teach you some words [of advice] : Be mindful of Allah, and Allah will protect you. Be mindful of Allah, and you will find Him in front of you. If you (have need to) ask, ask of Allah; and if you seek help, seek help from Allah. Know that even if the Nation (or the whole community) were to gather together to benefit you with something, they would not benefit you with anything except that which Allah has already recorded for you, and that if they gather together to harm you with something, they would not be able to harm you with anything except that which Allah has already recorded against you. The pens have been lifted and the pages have dried.

[Tirmidhi]
In a version other than that of al-Tirmidhi it reads:

..Be mindful of Allah, you will find Him before you. Get to know Allah in prosperity and He will know you in adversity. Know that what has passed you by was not going to befall you; and that what has befallen you was not going to pass you by. And know that victory comes with patience, relief with affliction, and ease with hardship.

Conclusion:

The modern medical world has its merits and misgivings, and so does the traditional birth practices. Nothing is perfect in this temporary world, it is temporary. We feel hurt and discomfort, displeasure, sadness and grief, as do we also feel happiness and joy; but nothing lasts and endures.

All feelings subsides and only a few things remain eternal and true: Death is imminent and a natural transition of this Life. It isn't easy to accept the Death of a Loved one, but we do. While thinking of our own, makes us better beings and makes life so much more meaningful and purposeful. We make better choices because we know our purpose of life and that Death is a natural part of life. Wallahua'lam.