Childbirth through the ages
Rhianna Suttie-Gunson
January 20, 2008
There once was a time when women were worshiped. For every god there was also a goddess, if not two! Childbirth was an event to be celebrated. Childbirth was seen a a magical event and those who endured it were truly blessed. It must be noted that these people were also unaware of the fact that sexual intercourse led to conception and then childbirth.
Times and belief systems changed. A new religion, known as Christianity came to the world. All existing religions were deemed as heathen or pagan and linked closely to the devil. Women ceased to be worship and goddesses disappeared.
There were changes to the process of childbirth as well.
Some feared the noise women made during birth and labeled it unnatural. Medicine began to evolve and doctors decided they could be of assistance, if left alone with the woman.
No longer an event celebrated by all, childbirth became an almost solitary and silent event. Certain circumstances even condemning the laboring mother if she made a noise. Unfortunately not all belief systems were able to phase this ridiculous ruling.
As more time passed, more knowledge was gained. Sciences learnt and previous mysteries solved. It was no understood how the baby really became implanted in it's mother's belly. It was also realized that the noise women were making was caused by pain.
Thankfully, relief in the form of a range of drugs were introduced. Though the greatest refinement of procedure was the cesarean. Doctors were now able to remove the infant from the mother, without to much harm to either party.
The home was no longer the best place to bring a child into the world. Instead the familiar and comfortable was replaced by the sterile and unknown. Hospitals were now built and deemed the safest place for mother and child. Doctors regimented appropriate positions and practically harnessed the mother to the bed.
However husbands were not permitted in the delivery room. It was not proper for man to see his wife in such a state!
The ordeal of childbirth was seen as being a strain on the woman's body. Instead of returning to work in the fields the next day professionals dictated that bed rest for seven days after birth was mandatory and in some case longer was given.
Then something happened. A revolution's of sorts. A few decades ago women decided to take back the right to give birth as they saw fit. Drugs dropped in popularity and husbands were welcomed back to the delivery room and even the lounge room as home births begin to increase.
Today the childbirth options open to women are endless.
There are dozens of positions and aids to ease the pain of labor. A multitude of books have been printed to cover breathing and relaxation techniques as birthing returns to a natural process without little assistance needed. Of course if need be you can still book in for a 'c-section' and no one can deny the benefits that modern medicine has created.
Be it with a doctor, a midwife a doula or more, may your birth experience be all that you hope for.
Times and belief systems changed. A new religion, known as Christianity came to the world. All existing religions were deemed as heathen or pagan and linked closely to the devil. Women ceased to be worship and goddesses disappeared.
There were changes to the process of childbirth as well.
Some feared the noise women made during birth and labeled it unnatural. Medicine began to evolve and doctors decided they could be of assistance, if left alone with the woman.
No longer an event celebrated by all, childbirth became an almost solitary and silent event. Certain circumstances even condemning the laboring mother if she made a noise. Unfortunately not all belief systems were able to phase this ridiculous ruling.
As more time passed, more knowledge was gained. Sciences learnt and previous mysteries solved. It was no understood how the baby really became implanted in it's mother's belly. It was also realized that the noise women were making was caused by pain.
Thankfully, relief in the form of a range of drugs were introduced. Though the greatest refinement of procedure was the cesarean. Doctors were now able to remove the infant from the mother, without to much harm to either party.
The home was no longer the best place to bring a child into the world. Instead the familiar and comfortable was replaced by the sterile and unknown. Hospitals were now built and deemed the safest place for mother and child. Doctors regimented appropriate positions and practically harnessed the mother to the bed.
However husbands were not permitted in the delivery room. It was not proper for man to see his wife in such a state!
The ordeal of childbirth was seen as being a strain on the woman's body. Instead of returning to work in the fields the next day professionals dictated that bed rest for seven days after birth was mandatory and in some case longer was given.
Then something happened. A revolution's of sorts. A few decades ago women decided to take back the right to give birth as they saw fit. Drugs dropped in popularity and husbands were welcomed back to the delivery room and even the lounge room as home births begin to increase.
Today the childbirth options open to women are endless.
There are dozens of positions and aids to ease the pain of labor. A multitude of books have been printed to cover breathing and relaxation techniques as birthing returns to a natural process without little assistance needed. Of course if need be you can still book in for a 'c-section' and no one can deny the benefits that modern medicine has created.
Be it with a doctor, a midwife a doula or more, may your birth experience be all that you hope for.