"The moment a child is born, the mother is also born.  She never existed before.  The woman existed, but the mother, never.  A mother is something absolutely new".  ~Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh

As a birthing professional I believe in the following:

• Pregnancy & Childbirth holds a transformative element that changes a woman forever.  There is a spiritual, physical, and emotional aspect to pregnancy and childbirth.  All are important elements in a woman’s journey in becoming a mother.  All should be respected & revered by Care Providers, Birth Companions, Family, & Friends.
  

• Childbirth is a normal & natural event in a woman’s life.  Low Risk women (the majority of birthing women) CAN give birth vaginally without medical interventions.  High Risk women CAN give birth in a gentle and calm way.
  

• All women’s birthing choices should be respected.  What is right for one mother is not right for all mothers. 
  

• Women should be educated on their pregnancy, birthing, and parenting choices.  When we decide to give birth at home or in a hospital there are certain parameters that go along with those choices.  Understanding these parameters and choices is important for women to become enlightened.  This information needs to be conveyed in a non-judgmental way.
  

• Women should feel as though they are in a bubble of positivity when trying to get pregnant, during pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting experiences.  Positive mindsets impact our bodies, emotions, and spirit.  Remaining positive can help us is a wide variety of ways:
  

• Keeping us out of the flight or fight mode; which allows us to relax and birth our babies in the way most natural as possible.
  

• Allowing us to reframe negative experiences and learn a new way of dealing with stress.
  

• Supporting one another is a privilege and should not be taken lightly.  Judgment does not enter into the bubble of positivity.
  

• We should be able to pick care providers who support our birthing vision and help us to make decisions that empower and not eliminate our choices.  Care providers need to treat mothers with respect and compassion.
  

• As a childbirth educator I am responsible to ensure that mothers know these choices and be able to refer them to the appropriate resources.
  

• Women have the right to VBAC or CBAC depending upon their own comfort levels and resources.  Women should be educated about the benefits and risks associated with both VBAC and CBAC.
  

• Care providers need to be educated about the benefits and risks associated with both VBAC and CBAC.
  

• All women should have access to a doula.  Mothers and Birthing companions need to know the benefits of having a doula during pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period.
  

• The benefits of Breastfeeding need to be communicated to pregnant women.  This is a family choice and does not always fit each family.  Although, I highly encourage mothers to try Breastfeeding.
  

• Birth Trauma is real and happens to women each and every day.  As a Birthing Professional I find it critical that women are educated and supported during their pregnancy and birthing experiences in a physical, emotional, and spiritual way. 
  

• I support mothers whom have experienced birth trauma through a holistic approach.  I believe that a multifaceted approach towards their trauma release facilitates the healing process.  If a woman experiences birth trauma she should be able to get both peer and professional help to process the trauma and feel supported through that process.
  

Statement of Birthing Belief

Affiliated & Certified with the HypnoBirthing® Institute 

www.HypnoBirthing.com

Copyright © 2011 Sharon Gourlay

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