On Natural Birth
We have been blessed with the birth of two vibrant and
healthy children. Both were born at home, under the extremely
educated, attentive and compassionate eyes of our midwives.
With their presence, we felt safer than if we were in a hospital
(read the attached article to understand why) and yet we always
had the option to go to a hospital should the need arise. Both
births were water births, meaning we used a special tub, filled
with warm water, to comfort Erin and support her body while she
gave birth in the most comfortable position possible for her.
Both births proceeded at our own pace. We never felt rushed to
fit anyone else’s schedule.
 I
have attached an article on the risks of cesarean presented by
Dr. Mercola (www.mercola.com). I hesitated slightly to present
this information because I do not want to frighten anyone or to
anger someone who has experienced a healthy cesarean birth, as
many people do. There are many reasons for cesarean birth. In
some cases, the risks of cesarean surgery is far less than the
risks of existing medical complications. In those cases,
cesarean birth is the most compassionate choice for both mother
and child.
The vast majority of pregnancies, however, are uncomplicated
and do not require surgery. And yet, in the U.S., there are
some states where the cesarean rate is nearly 40%. In contrast,
in Holland (where midwifery care is much more common and
supported by physicians) the cesarean rate is around 13%. It
seems that our reliance on technology in the U.S. and our views
of pregnancy as a medical condition have contributed to a
collective and infectious amnesia – we have forgotten that birth
is a process that when experienced naturally can provide great
physical and emotional benefits to both mother and child.
I have decided to present the information on cesarean because
many people mistakenly assume that the more medical treatment
they receive the safer they will be. This is simply not true.
There are clearly reasons for medical treatment during the birth
process, however, many are receiving medical interventions that
they may not need and, in these cases, this may contribute to
worse outcomes for mother and baby. In my opinion, every woman
and every family needs to have access to information and
resources on natural birth options so that they can make their
own informed and conscious decisions about the birth of their
children.
Whether you choose to have birth
at home or in a hospital, having prenatal care with a midwife
and guidance from a midwife at the birth maximizes a family’s
ability to have the safest and most natural birth possible.
 This
care often includes connecting parents with invaluable resources
that help prepare them for birth and the expansion of their
family. The birthdays of my daughter and son were two of the
most intensely beautiful and meaningful of my life. I am deeply
grateful that I learned about the facts supporting natural birth
and midwifery so that we could research and ultimately choose
this option.
I hope the attached information might similarly help others
to understand all of their options. If I may be a resource for
you or forward the attached information to anyone, please let me
know.
If you would like to speak to our own outstanding midwife,
Audrey Levine, her number is 360-709-0888.
Isn’t this decision worth a little of your time to read some
compelling research?
Sincerely,
Dan Greenlee, D.C.
(360) 705-0900
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