Knowledge Heals Birth

Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim

It has been quite a while since I’ve posted a new birth story.  This post is actually three birth stories from one special mama.  She is an AMANI Birth trainee and her experiences really speak to the importance of childbirth education.  She will be a fabulous childbirth educator and doula and will work hard with her mamas to keep them informed and aware of what is happening during the most amazing times of their lives, insha’Allah.  

Her personal experience with grief and trauma will server her to be able to relate and assist to the few mothers who have such experiences themselves.  It’s no doubt that her journey will serve the Ummah well, insha’Allah.

It’s really an honor and a privilege to welcome her to the AMANI family and to share her stories with the Saudi Birth Story readers.  I truly love her for the sake of Allah.  Now on to the story...Knowledge Heals Birth...  

Natural Pregnancy Spacing

 Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim

A sister recently asked me about my own experiences with natural spacing of pregnancies.  I thought this might make a good post for others as well.  As a mother of eight, it is probably easy to guess that I don't employ the use of pharmaceutical birth controls.  But that wasn't always the case.

Insha'Allah, I will have a guest writer (either here or on Saudi Life Motherhood) in the coming weeks who will discuss contraceptives in more depth.  I always enjoy sharing the work of guest writers.  Please let me know if you are interested in contributing.  Now on to my post...Natural Pregnancy Spacing...

Just Say No to Interventions!

 Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim

I always enjoy reading birth stories and am especially pleased when I know the family personally.  This particular story comes from such a dear and sweet sister whom I am particularly fond of, masha'Allah.

While reading through her story, the thing that kept festering inside me was the medical staff's repeated push for interventions.  I am proud of this mama and baba for sticking to Allah's design for birth as best they could and achieving an unmedicated, natural birth, masha'Allah!

I'd love to read your story too!  Please contact me if you'd like to share.  Now on to the story...Just Say No to Interventions!...

Getting Involved in Breastfeeding Awareness

Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim

 © 2001 Harvey Nelson, Courtesy of Photoshare

I've been participating in a lot of pregnancy and birth education activities over the past few weeks, alhamdulelah.  The topics have been varied but they all have touched on breastfeeding.  

Even though they are unrelated classes, each one is building upon the last to broaden my understanding of the culture of breastfeeding, as well as giving me important information to help mothers who suffer difficulty feeding.  Allah is the best of planners and it is becoming clear to me that this is an issue I need to get more involved with, subhan'Allah.

Please get in touch with me if you are interested in finding out more about how you could get involved in breastfeeding or natural birth education and awareness.  Now on to the post...Getting Involved in Breastfeeding Awareness...

Natural Born Breech!

Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim

 

All too often women are whisked off to surgery because their baby is in breech position (bum first rather than head first).  It's true that some breech babies are in need of surgical rescue, but more often than not, they can still be born naturally, or at least through the birth canal rather than abdominal surgery.  

Unfortunately, many doctors are not confident in the body's ability to birth a breech baby.  They would prefer to take control by turning to Cesarean surgery right off.  As one senior obstetrician once told me, "The skill of breech birth is being forever lost to the skill of the knife."

This is a refreshing story, told by a doula in Dubai.  It's so promising to read of birth attendants who value the doula's role and who encourage the mother to birth her breech baby without much intervention!  I wish they all were as trusting in the woman's ability to birth her baby.

I hope you enjoy this story and will share yours too!  Now on to the story...Natural Born Breech!...

Infant Health Benefits from Natural Birth and Breastfeeding

Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim

An informative article about Probiotics (live bacteria which benefits human health) in breast milk appeared in Al Riyadh newspaper on June 4, 2010.  The original article was published in Arabic and can be found at:  البروبيوتك مجموعة من البكتيريا الصديقة تعمل على تعزيز مناعة الرضيع   I found many points in the article to be rather interesting as well as confirming my beliefs in natural birth and breastfeeding, alhamdulelah.


My husband was kind enough to do a quick summary translation for us to read here.  I hope you enjoy the article and welcome your story ideas as well.  Now on to the English version of the story...Infant Health Benefits from Natural Birth and Breastfeeding...



The full title of the Arabic article is Probiotic is a group of friendly bacteria which increases infant immunities.  The article was divided into three parts.

Breastfeeding Isn’t Always Easy

Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim

Alhamdulelah, I was blessed with fairly easy breastfeeding experiences with my children.  The first was a bit hard because he was premature, however not too bad.  Fortunately, I didn’t even realize he was difficult until I had the second and experienced how easy she was, subhanAllah.

I recently joined an online breastfeeding support group, La Leche League in the Middle East.  The moderator is also a doula in Ha’il, Saudi Arabia.

I wanted to share a recent post from another member (also a doula in Riyadh) about her experiences with breastfeeding.  She’s has six children but did not find breastfeeding so easy.  I admire her perseverance to keep trying.

Even mothers that find nursing easy, need support.  Think how much more those mothers who experience difficulty need the loving support and resources such as this group in order to succeed.  I hope you’ll benefit from her story and share it with others.  Let me know if you a story you’d like to share.  Now on to the story…Breastfeeding Isn’t Always Easy…