“We’ve put birth in the same category with illness and disease and it’s never belonged there. Birth is naturally safe, but we’ve allowed it to be taken over by the medical community.” -Carla Hartley, Ancient Art Midwifery Institute

I often find I wonder what we have done to birth in this society. In our society we are sort of brainwashed to believe our doctors know everything there is to know about birth.
When in reality, WE, as women, as the experts on our own bodies. How can a Dr. who has met us a handful of times know when conception has occurred? As women, we should know our bodies enough to have an idea as to when this would have occurred. And based on this knowledge we should be able to figure out an accurate estimated due date. Sadly, Dr.’s base our EDD on a general cycle length, and give out a general EDD. This leads to a time line being put on your pregnancy. In most cases it is already decided that you will have your baby before 42 weeks gestation. (But remember, this is based on every woman having the same exact cycles.)
From the minute we step into the OB’s office, we are “treating” pregnancy. But the question is, what are we treating it for? Pregnancy is not a disease. It is not an affliction. It is not something that can be “cured” or treated. It is something to enjoy. To relish. To savor. Each woman should take the time during pregnancy to read. To educate themselves on what choices they have while they are pregnant. Each woman needs to know that she can choose where she wants to give birth, who she wants to be there and most importantly HOW she wants to birth. It does not make one difference weather she wants to have an epidural from the first contraction and be in a hospital or if she wants to go completely unassisted in the middle of the woods. As long as each woman educates herself and knows what to expect and is happy with the birth outcome, THAT is what matters…
We need to remember that birth is safe. Birth is natural. And we need to bring it back to that. We need to stop “treating” it and start empowering ourselves. Start taking that control back. Start to have faith in ourselves again. When we do that, we will see a change in our birth culture. And it WILL be for the better.