Editor: Cathy Daub PT, CCE, CD
Volume IV Issue 3
August, 2004
|
|
A publication of Birth Works®, Inc. Editor: Cathy Daub PT, CCE, CD Volume IV Issue 3 August, 2004 |
Welcome to the Birth Works ENews
This is a forum for you to
get to know us better and read about new and exciting things going on at
Birth Works.
Birth Works embodies the philosophy of developing a woman's self confidence, trust and faith in her ability to give birth. It is our goal to promote safe and loving birth experiences through education, introspection and confident action.
We believe that the knowledge of how to give birth is already inside
every woman. Through a unique, innovative and experiential program that
integrates the mind, body, and spirit, we encourage pregnant women to have
more faith in that body knowledge.
Awareness is the key to giving birth. You may ask, "Awareness of what?" Try this little experiment with your own body. In your mind, think about the big toe on your right foot. Immediately sense that you are now aware of your big toe whereas just before that, your awareness in your body was someplace else. Now focus your attention on the little finger of your left hand. Immediately sense that your awareness is now more in your little finger of your left hand than in the big toe of your right foot. Now, for women, bring your awareness into your low pelvis. Immediately that is where the mind goes.
In labor, too many women try to run from awareness in their pelvis because of the strong contractions, perhaps coupled with some previous trauma such as sexual abuse and/or birth trauma. Some methods of childbirth preparation teach forms of distraction as a way to cope with strong contractions. But how can one work with the body when awareness is not there?
Awareness can also be called consciousness. A woman in pregnancy, labor, and delivery, who has her consciousness fully in her body, in her pelvis, who welcomes the strong contractions, working with them to make them more effective, knowing that the stronger the contractions, the sooner her baby will be born, feels empowered and demonstrates confidence in herself. Without confidence, nothing is possible; with confidence, anything is possible.
Birth Works has always promoted a philosophy and belief that the knowledge about how to give birth resides within every woman. Therefore, women do not need to be taught how to give birth for how can what is instinctive be taught? When women are encouraged to "Surrender to the process," or "Trust your body's wisdom," they ask, "How do I do that?" They wonder, "How can I let my body labor and birth my baby when my mind/self doesn't know what to expect?"
For more information on Educator Certification, visit http://www.birthworks.org/cecert.html The body does many things without our even having to think about it.
Think about sleeping at night. We fall asleep one minute, and the next
minute we are awake, and yet six to eight hours may have passed. Some
people experience dreams during this time, that they may or may not
remember. But all the while, the body is carrying on its functions of
breathing, the heart beating, digestion, the uterus contracting (in women),
and all intercellular exchanges taking place. It is not a stretch then to
also believe that the body knows how to dilate a cervix, birth a baby, and
supply milk for breastfeeding. Take a moment each day to contemplate the wonders of the human body.
Allow it to fill you with wonder and awe. Be grateful. "Little by little,
the mind will have to let go because it will learn that it cannot think a
baby into the light. If we have led her to the place where she has faith,
she will feel that that earthly body knows what it's doing. After all, she
didn't tell the egg to ripen, he didn't steer the sperm. Just like that, it
all happens, without our needing to think about it."1 The Dalai Lama once said, "Remember that not getting what you want is
sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck." Living in the spirit means seeing
only the good in all that comes your way. It sees all of life as a teacher
who gives many lessons. Many people say, "I want peace." Allowing the self
to be pulled "down" when bad things happen, or raised "up" when good things
happen, does not confer peace. It also leads to imbalance. Imbalance leads
to an increase in energy consumption. When there is balance, there is
equanimity. What are some events in your life that you still hold onto with a
negative feeling? Human perspective is usually limiting in its nature
whereas the spirit is broad and expansive. The next time you don't get what
you want, try asking yourself the question: "What is the good that can come
out of it?" Insights may then begin to appear in your consciousness that can
lead to peace and understanding. When we are at peace with ourselves, we
are closer to our spirit. A woman closer to her spirit at birth, connects
with the power of birth. Birth Works E News has been written to provide
information on Birth Works, Inc. programs and general information about
pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding. The information provided is not
intended as a substitute for professional consultation with a childbirth
educator, lactation consultant, doula, midwife, or physician. We hope you enjoyed this edition of Birth Works E-News.
Pass Birth Works E-News on to your friends and colleagues— it's free! To
subscribe to the next FREE Birth Works E-News or to edit your subscription
or stop receiving this newsletter, visit http://birthworks.org/enews.
2004 Birth Works® Childbirth Educator Training Workshops
Birth Works Childbirth Education workshops are open to anyone who wishes
to attend. The decision to enter the Certification program can be made
after the workshop.
Date Location August 18-20 Vancouver, Canada November 12-14 Cleveland, OH
... for the spirit
Finding the Positive
