- my iParenting
- quick clicks
- pregnancy today articles
- pregnancy today q&a
- message boards
- research baby names
- prepare a birth plan
- content channels
- ip channel rss feeds
- read birth stories
- read parenting stories
- recommended books
- e-newsletters
- safety recalls
- ip diaries
- ip store
- mom of the month
- dad of the month
- editor's letter
- letters to the editor
From Our Sponsors
 |
- e-newsletters
- Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters
- award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Birthing From Within
Experiencing Childbirth in Your Own Way
By Shel Franco
What do paintings, sculptures, warriors, belly casts, rites of passage and paper tigers all have in common?
Childbirth. And if you can't quite see the connection, then you may not be familiar with the Birthing From Within method.
The History
In 1998, Pam England, a midwife, childbirth educator and prenatal birth therapist, together with psychologist Rob Horowitz introduced the book Birthing From Within (Partera, 1998) to the world. The book reflects England's own beliefs and experiences, calling on women to explore themselves and teaching them how to embrace the natural pain of the birthing process. The book paved the way for Birthing From Within doula and educator certification programs taught in workshops by England herself at various sites around the world.
The Philosophy
According to England, there are seven beliefs of women who "birth from within": - Pregnancy and birth is a rite of passage, not a medical event (even when birthing in a hospital).
- Connecting with other mothers and women for support and guidance is an essential part of preparation for birth and mothering.
- The power to birth comes from within them, from their strong bodies and their commitment to do whatever it takes to birth their child.
- Primitive self-expression, including making noise and losing control, are a natural part of birth (and "looking good" isn't).
- Protecting their birth space so that it is conducive to birth (quiet, dimly lit, warm and private) is critically important to how their birth will unfold.
- For Western women, birthing from within requires preparation and practice during pregnancy.
Want to see more?
Comments
There are no comments for this article yet.Be the first to 
|
Post As:
|
||
| Enter your comment below: | ||
| Title | ||
| Comment Text | ||
| CAPTCHA | ||
| Please note that any comments submitted become the property of Disney Family / iParenting and can be edited and posted at our discrection. | ||
