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.

There are probably an infinite number of safety nets built into the childbearing year. In fact, birth is a safe and pleasurable journey, but very few people describe it that way. This series will discuss just ten safety nets that Allah has built into the process of pregnancy, labor, birth, and the newborn period. 

Before we get into the safeties, let's discuss the mother's role to maximize those safeties and minimize risks. First of all, each mother must work with her care provider to asses and manage her risks based on her health history and situation. She must eat well and exercise to maintain the best possible health for the lowest risk for her and baby. She needs to learn to work with her body in order to best prepare for the strains of childbirth.

“And [God says:] ‘We have enjoined upon man goodness towards his parents: his mother bore him by bearing strain upon strain…” [Qur’an 31:14]

Maximize Safeties; Minimize Risks

It is prudent for each mother to find a care provider that she trusts. Working with that provider she can assess her health status in relationship to hers and her baby's risks during the pregnancy, labor and birth. Care providers are keen to explore your health history in order to flush out any underlying risks. They also offer a variety of routine tests to discover or rule out common (or not so common) pregnancy complications so that they can be eliminated, minimized, or best managed-should they exist. But know that most young women go into pregnancy healthy and low-risk and their focus should be on keeping it that way.

Eat Well

The most important factor in pregnancy and birth outcome is the mother's nutrition. The awesome thing about this, is that it is also the factor the mother has the most influence over! Only you decide what goes into your mouth at each meal. In fact, growing a baby is like constructing a building. There is a blue print for your baby's best growth and development, just like there is a blueprint for every building that stands. The architect-in this case Allah (SWT), has written the plan for your child's development in the womb. It is you who decides on the quality of the ingredients that go into your baby's development, just as the general contractor chooses the quality of the supplies that go into the construction of the building. Your baby is growing at an amazingly rapid pace in the womb. You cannot afford to skimp on your nutrition during this crucial time of development. Growth in the womb is not the same as growth outside the womb and you cannot make up for poor maternal diet after birth.

Exercise

Exercise helps us stay fit, flexible, and strong. It builds cardiovascular strength and results in the strength and stamina necessary for the strains of labor and birth. Pregnant women are encouraged to exercise all throughout their pregnancies, contrary to cultural myths and misnomers. It's not just "okay" to exercise during pregnancy, it is encouraged and preferred. Moderate and sensible exercise during pregnancy does not result in poor pregnancy outcomes and in fact makes the labor and birth journey much easier.

Learn to Work With Your Body in Labor

Child birth preparation classes, such as AMANI Birth, help women learn about how their bodies work during pregnancy, labor, and birth. Understanding the mechanics of the birth process helps mothers realize the best ways to move and things to do (and not to do) in order to minimize pain and discomforts. For many mothers, this knowledge is key to staying the course of a complete natural childbirth. 

Watch for coming articles detailing the ten safety nets to be highlighted in this series. May Allah bless you with ease and the safest, gentlest birth possible for you and your baby.