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...  

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... 

Comparing Birth Experiences: USA/KSA/MSR

Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim

Amani Sitting in front of a symbol of Saudi in Belgium

I am honored to have been asked to participate in the Mummy in Provence blog series on birth stories from around the world.  I love her project to focus in the differences of birth around the globe.

I hope you enjoy reading this interview about my experiences with birthing.  It is from the perspective of comparison between birthing in the United States, Egypt, and Saudi.  I also hope you will visit the original blog post and browse the many different birthing cultures represented in the series.

Let me know if you'd like to share your birth story on Saudi Birth Story.  It's always an honor and a pleasure to share my readers' birth stories.  Now on to the interview..Comparing Birth Experiences:  USA/KSA/MSR...

Improving Birth Practices in Saudi

Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim

 Photo Credit:  Umm Layth of

Wold of Umm Blog

This is a repost from a new blog designed to help build a feasibility study for birth centers in Saudi.  Saudi Birth Surveys

The birth experience has lifelong health and emotional affects on women, babies, and families; and thus communities at large. As a responsible member of Saudi society, you have a right and an obligation to ensure that each baby, mother, and family have the best possible start in life, insha'Allah.

The over-medicalised culture of birth in Saudi Arabia is troubling.  Thankfully, there are a lot of efforts being made within the concerned governmental agencies, public and private medical communities, and the community at large to find ways to protect women, babies, and families during this vulnerable time.

I hope you'll get involved by providing your important opinions for these surveys...now on to the request...Improving Birth Practices in Saudi...

"My water broke!"...Guess what...it's NOT an Emergency!

Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim



Art by:  Amy Swagman
http://themandalajourney.com/

Important amendment to this article:  I inadvertantly left off some very good points which were made in the comments section by a reader.  Please take the time to read the entire article AND comments to get a more complete view of this topic.

I recently had two separate occasions to work with women that had amniotic leaks prior to the onset of labor.  Both wanted natural birth without medical induction, augmentation, or cesarean surgery.  But both were worried if they didn't rush to the hospital that their babies would be in jeapordy.

Fortunately, I was able to provide them information that gave them the confidence to allow nature to take its course.  I pray that sharing this here will help others in the same circumstance. 

Please contact me if you would like to share a topic idea.  Now on to the article..."My water broke!"...Guess what...it's NOT an Emergency!

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...

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... 

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.

Vaginal Birth After TWO Cesareans (VBA2C)...in Saudi!

Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim

Beautiful Baby Boy

Born Vaginally After Two Cesareans! 

It is a blessing to share this story on my blog.  What makes it amazing is not only the rarity of having vaginal delivery after TWO cesareans, but that she did it in Saudi Arabia, masha'Allah!

Although I wish she had gotten educated sooner, avoided medical interference from the get go, and tried non-medicated natural bith...I am still very proud of this mama!  I'm also thankful to her for sharing the many links she researched when pursuing her VBA2C (listed at the end of the article).  Due to copyright, I cannot post the ACOG (American College of Gynecologists) report that she showed her doctor, but I do have it on file and would be happy to email it to anyone who requests a copy.

I hope you enjoy reading this inspirational birth story.  Please let me know if you'd like to share yours.  Now on to the story...Vaginal Birth After TWO Cesareans (VBA2C)...in Saudi!...



Patient Rights Meeting in Saudi

Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

According to recent news articles, there was a meeting in Riyadh this week regarding patients' rights.  I would have loved to attend, but didn't hear of it until after it was over.  I'm impressed that this issue is being discussed in Saudi.

I wanted to make a few quick comments about what I dream of in regards to the laboring woman and her patient rights.  I'd also like to invite readers to comment and share their ideas as well.

I hope you enjoy reading this article.  As always, I'd love to hear your feedback and story ideas!

EXTRA, EXTRA, READ ALL ABOUT IT! I'm in the News! :)

Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim

Me, Aisha (Natural Mom)

Teaching Pregnancy Exercises

This has been an exciting month for me! 

Alhamdulealah, somebody pinch me!  I need to check if I'm dreaming before I post this!  It's not hard to tell that I have a passion for natural birth and it's my goal to spread it throughout the Middle East and Africa, insha'Allah.  But I was totally amazed when I came back to Egypt from a trip to the States this past June. 

I had just finished attending classes to become certified as a childbirth teacher and labor/birth doula.  I was seven months pregnant myself and was waiting until the end of my ninth month to join my husband in Saudi to have our baby there.  I didn't expect to accomplish much in those three months in terms of putting my training to work.

No one could have imagined the opportunites that I found in those three months in Egypt, let alone during the past month in Saudi! 

I hope you enjoy reading about the exciting opportunities in Egypt and Saudi.  I'd love your feedback and comments.  Now on to the story...EXTRA, EXTRA, READ ALL ABOUT IT!  I'm in the News!  :)...  

Saudi Cesarean Sections

Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim

I've been blogging for a couple of months now, but not much of what I've written has been based on Saudi Arabia.  Since the blog title is "Saudi" Birth Story I figured I'd better find out a little more about the birth statistics in Saudi Arabia.

What I found during my research astounded me.  What I concluded, however, gives me hope.  Now if I can only make my voice heard far enough to make a difference.  Please pass this on to others you know.  With Allah's help it may just reach the people who have the power to effect change!

I hope you enjoy reading this article.  Please let me know if you have a story idea or would like to share your birth story. Now on to the article...Saudi Cesarean Sections...

Birth Won't Wait!

 Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim

A fellow blogger had been reading my blog and commented that, "It can be a nightmare to deliver here in KSA and the Mid East."  She mentioned a few things that I made note to research and write about.  One was a horror story about someone she knew personally who experienced a tragedy while giving birth in Syria.  It's a sad story, but one that I want to feature after I get more details.  She also talked about women giving birth at home or abandoning their babies for fear of being deported or punished for not having current iqamas, or proper marriage documents, or not being married at all.  She mentioned babies being held "hostage" at hospitals when the parents were unable to pay the costs of hospital delivery. 

Just today she sent me two stories that were published in the Saudi Gazette newspaper.  The heading of her email to me was "See what I mean!"  She commented in her email, "This is an outrage!" and she's right!  Both stories feature women who were turned away by hospitals in Saudi Arabia and forced to deliver their babies without assistance within arms length of medical facilities and staff.  I've copied both stories here for you to read.

Although the stories are "an outrage," I hope you enjoy reading this blog.  I'd love to hear your story ideas and share your birth stories.  If there's a relevant news link please forward it to me and I'll share it on the blog.  Now on to the stories...Birth Won't Wait!...

Baby number seven..Almost a home birth!

Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim

Faris' Birth Story

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

April 9, 2009

Had I realized that I was going to have the baby that morning, I wouldn't have gone to meet the doctor.  I really wanted a home birth this time.  Not only didn't I get it, but my husband missed the birth (again) as he was busy filling out hospital forms.

I hope you enjoy reading these birth stories.  Please let me know if you'd like to share yours. Now on to the story...Baby number seven...Almost a home birth!...

Baby number eight...Baba's birth story!

Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim

Amani's Birth Story

Born at Home

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

September 21, 2010

This time I was really excited about the upcoming birth of my baby.  My Saudi husband had really taken the time to study about pregnancy and birth and was ready to support me in my long-time dream of having a home birth!  We worked hard together during this pregnancy and became teachers of  natural childbirth classes.  I witnessed a transformation in my husband and I can't even begin to explain just how much closer we have become!  This story is special because it's from his perspective.

I hope you enjoy reading these birth stories.  Please let me know if you'd like to share yours. Now on to the story...Baby number eight..Baba's birth story!...