January/February 2003 Alternative Health
Birthing From Within
An Extra-ordinary Guide To Childbirth Preparation

by Susan Moray, CPM, LM, CCE

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 Birthing From Within.

Birthing from Within (BFW) is a new philosophy on childbirth preparation. The premise is that women know about birth and need to validate their own perceptions. It carries a multi-sensory, holistic approach with interactive assignments and creative participation. This method of instruction, mentored rather than taught, draws on the birthing wisdom of many different cultures. As a result, open-minded thinking spills out into the overall philosophy. No particular belief system or method is forced on the students. Rather, they are encouraged to explore themselves, so they can make conscious decisions about how they hope to experience childbirth.

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 to the world.

Pam England explains that "Through soul-searching and listening more deeply to the women I was working with, I finally understood that women have to prepare for birth in their heart and soul, not their head. And that giving birth is something a woman does in her body, not in her head."

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 certification programs for doulas and educators taught in workshops around the world, led by England herself or other Mentors.

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.

The Classes
BFW classes are like nothing pregnant women have ever seen, utilizing many unique strategies to help women give birth using their own emotional, spiritual and physical power. One of the most notable strategies is the construction and interpretation of birth art. Birth art can be in the form paintings, sculptures, drawings and writings. It serves as an exploration of the woman's inner thoughts, worries and dreams.

Mentors tell their students that Birthing From Within classes are about birthing in awareness, making conscious decisions, challenging your assumptions, allowing yourself to use your imagination in considering a range of possibilities about your labor and birth, envisioning giving birth in many ways and places, being present and strong in birth, exploring what is necessary to participate fully in your birth, preparing your birthplace, welcoming your baby and bonding as a family.

Pain-coping practices are paramount to this method. In each class, several different processes, using ice as a simulation of intense sensation, are experienced to help women discover what might work for them.

The Positives
One of the most often cited positives of Birthing From Within is that it provides a thorough grounding in the spiritual and emotional aspects of pregnancy and labor. Many longtime birth educators who taught just "the facts" feel that this approach gives the exercises to help their clients discover their own power.

The Negatives
For some people, the high level of disclosure involved with BFW is uncomfortable. It teaches people to embrace feelings and embrace pain. The person who only wants instruction on the mechanical and physical aspects of pregnancy may not appreciate the Birthing From Within approach. And while the philosophy allows for the compassionate use of drugs in labor and delivery, some people might find the classes too far off the mainstream path.

If prospective parents are interested in learning to have faith in their ability to birth, self-discovery, creative self-expression, pain-coping techniques, free-flowing discussions, bonding with the baby and strengthening their marriage, BFW might be for them. Birthing From Within classes are seen as not the end, but the beginning of a parent's journey.

Susan Moray, CPM, LM, CCE mentors Birthing from Within-style classes to pregnant couples in Southeast Portland. She is a Certified Professional Midwife and Licensed Midwife in private practice with Northwest Community Midwives attending homebirths. Susan is available at 503.230.9559 or email: smoray@qwest.net or www.NWMidwives.com.