Birth is Inherently Safe - The Mother's Role

Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim

May people are quick to discuss all the things that may go wrong in childbirth. Although it is important to be aware of complications and be ready to deal with them, should they arise, it's equally important to acknowledge that in most cases birth goes just fine on its own. In fact. Allah (SWT) is the best of all Creators and has created the childbearing year to be inherently safe.

The First State's First Muslim Midwife

Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim

We are excited to announce that Aisha Al Hajjar is now a licensed home birth midwife in the State of Delaware! Delaware just recently legalized midwifery and she is proud to be amongst the first to receive her license. Even more exciting is that she is the first Muslim home birth midwife in the state! 

Aisha Takes the Plunge! Midwifery College Enrollment

Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim

Narrated Abu Said:  Some people from the Ansar asked Allah's Apostle (to give them something) and he gave to everyone of them, who asked him, until all that he had was finished. When everything was finished and he had spent all that was in his hand, he said to them, '"(Know) that if I have any wealth, I will not withhold it from you (to keep for somebody else); And (know) that he who refrains from begging others (or doing prohibited deeds), Allah will make him contented and not in need of others; and he who remains patient, Allah will bestow patience upon him, and he who is satisfied with what he has, Allah will make him self-sufficient. And there is no gift better and vast (you may be given) than patience."  [Bukhari Volume 8, Book 76, Number 477]

Your Duas Will Help Me Obtain the Skills Needed 

to Make a Difference in the Births of Women, insha'Allah.

“Whoever relieves his brother [or sister] of a hardship from the hardships of this world, Allah shall relieve him of a hardship from the hardships of the Day of Judgment. And whoever makes things easy for a person in difficulty, Allah will ease for him in this world and the Next. And whoever conceals (the faults of) a Muslim, Allah will conceal him in this world and the Next. Allah is forever aiding a slave so long as he is in the aid of his brother.” [Sahih Muslim, al-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah and others]

What better way to relieve your sister of hardship than by helping to provide her with natural midwifery care during the labor and birth of her child?

It's with as much nervousness as excitement that I announce my application to Midwifery College of Utah!  I've been considering my role and my vision and mission in the birthing community of Saudi Arabia for quite a while.  I've come to the conclusion that I need to increase my professional skills if I really want to make a difference for women and children.

I've researched a myriad of midwifery schools and training programs.   I've chosen MCU for their academic training via distance learning as well as the degree programs that they offer.  It is my intention to earn a BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN MIDWIFERY.  

There were many other programs that offered just general midwifery study without the bachelor degree.; however, because I do not already possess an underlying degree, I felt it prudent to pursue my studies at a bachelor level.  This will also give me the credentials needed to pursue my work in Saudi, insha'Allah, since the level of study is beyond just vocational certificates.

The cost of the program is roughly $24,000 USD.  Of course I haven't told my dear, supportive husband this number yet.  It also does not include shipping books and supplies, compensating local institutions and preceptors for clinical practice and observations, traveling for workshops/clinical training/exams, etc.  I'm sure by the time I factor in all these extras, that figure will at least double (especially if I have to do an internship overseas for clinical practice for the required out-of-hospital births that will not be available in Saudi).

I expect the program to take up the next four years of my life, insha'Allah.  Of course, I still plan to continue my writing for Saudi Birth Story, Saudi Life Motherhood and Parenting columns, and freelance articles for Arab News; as well as home schooling my children, completing the AMANI Birth project and training Childbirth Educators and Doulas, working with Al Bidayah Center to open their breastfeeding center in Riyadh, and whatever other life commitments are on my plate.  Please make dua for me!  

May Allah make it easy; give me strength, commitment, and stamina; provide the rizq (funds) to follow through; and make my efforts a blessing to the births of our Ummah...

AMEEEN!

Read on if you'd like to read my goals for my training and interest in midwifery, as submitted on my application to MCU... 

Choosing Your Birthing Culture

Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim

Masha'Allah, this story is a beautiful reminder of our responsibility for making choices about our pregnancy, labor, and birth.  I'm so happy to share this mother's journey to the natural birth she knew was right for her and her baby.

Although not a "Bradley Method®" birth, the story reminds me of a statement in the Bradley Method® Student Workbook, "Educated parents have the responsiblity to make these choices themselves and to hire the personnel who will support their choices.  This takes considerable effort and sometimes requires changing your situation or traveling great distances to seek the safest possible birth."

I hope you enjoy this birth story.  Please let me know if you'd like to share your own.  Now on to the story...Choosing Your Birthing Culture...

Shoulder Dystocia, Baby's Shoulders Stuck During Birth!

Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim

I teach women to stay off their backs in labor.  But until I watched this video I really didn't realize how laying on our backs can cause a common birth "complication" that often times leads to birth injury.

Have your tissues ready and share this five minute segment with every woman and husband you know!  Now on to the video...Shoulder Dystocia, Baby's Shoulders Stuck During Birth!...

Ecstatic Birth, Nature's Hormonal Blueprint for Labor

Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim

I was recently contacted by a doctor who had seen my Saudi Life Motherhood column.  She shared her website address and I discoverd she is an author and advocate for natural birth, mahsa'Allah. 

I was really impressed with her philosophies about birth.  I am honored to make her "virtual acquaintance" and want to share her work with my readers. She offers a free e-book which I'll discuss here.

I hope you'll enjoy discovering her work as much as I have.  Now on to the review...Ecstatic Birth, Nature's Hormonal Blueprint for Labor...

Saudi Arabia Birthing Culture

Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim

Midwifery Today keeps a list of international contacts to act as resource and liason for their respective regions.  I am honored to be the contact for Saudi Arabia.  Today the international edition of their E-News was released with a country report from all of the country contacts. 

My report on the culture of birth in Saudi is copied here.  I hope you enjoy reading it and would love your perspective.  Now on to the report...Saudi Arabia Birthing Culture... 

من هي الدولا؟ (What is a Doula?)

Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim

I am pleased to post this article in Arabic.  It originally appeared on January 9, 2011 in English on the Motherhood section of Saudi Life.  It can be read in English here: What is a Doula?  

I am grateful to my husband for translating it.  Please share it with others who would benefit from this educational article in Arabic.  Now on to the story...من هي الدولا؟  (What is a Doula?)...

Absolute faith: A Father’s Perspective!

Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim

Photo Credit: Ben Earwicker www.garrisonphoto.org/sxc

In October I posted a touching story (Absolute Faith) about the loss of a pregnancy that brought tears and a smile.  I introduced the story by saying, “…I am so honored that they have shared their story here.  It's one that brings tears and a smile at the same time.  It's tragic, yet beautiful.  I am truly inspired by their absolute faith in Allah…”

Well, last week I had an offline chat message that I had hoped wouldn’t come.  Even so, I’m touched and amazed, once again, at this dear couple and their absolute faith!  I love them dearly and am, again, honored to share their story here.  This time we have the father’s perspective, which I rarely get and always love.  

Make sure you read all the way through the story as I’ve shared some excerpts from our chat message at the end of their story.  I can’t say enough just how inspirational their faith is.  May Allah continue to bless and keep them…AMEEN! 

I hope you enjoy reading these birth stories.  Please let me know if you'd like to share yours. Now on to the story...Absolute faith: A Father’s Perspective!...  

Who's to blame?

Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim

Me, Aisha (Natural Mom) with

one of my "Doula Babies"

shortly after birth

I write a lot about the benefits of having a natural, non-medicated birth.  I tell you that I respect doctors while also seeming to "blame" them for the many "unnecessary" medical interventions that often take over the birth process.  Well it's time to put things into perspective and look at the bigger picture.  

Please note that this article is totally based on my opinion, which there is no doubt weighs heavy on the side of natural birth. 

I hope you enjoy reading this commentary.  Please let me know if you have a story idea or would like to share your birth story. Now on to the article...Who's to blame?...

To Have or Not to Have an Ultrasound...(and a link to an amazing twin home birth)

Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim

Having an ultrasound has become common place during pregnancy.  In the States I found it routine to be given a vaginal ultrasound at the first obstetric visit and an abdominal ultrasound around 20 weeks, when the gender can be determined.  In Egypt I found it routine to be given an ultrasound at EVERY obstetric visit.  I didn't have much prenatal care in Saudi, but from what I can gather, it's more like Egypt.

I've read a lot of literature that suggests that ultrasound has some mutating effect on cells.  Most conservatives feel that more research has to be done to determine if routine ultrasound exposure is having unknown adverse effects on our babies.  In fact, a visit to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration website reveals that, "...the long-term effects of tissue...by high-intensity sound waves [ultrasound]...are not known."

I hope that you enjoy this article.  Let me know if you have a story you'd like to share.  Now on to the story...To Have or Not to Have an Ultrasound...(and a link to an amazing twin home birth)...