RE: [ozmidwifery] quiet birth

[jo]

Hi all, One of my brothers and his wife were/are heavily into Scientology and had homebirths with their 2 children in Sydney 17 and 13 years ago. Most of their friends (also Scientologists) also had homebirths. I'm very thankful to them because this was my introduction to homebirth, before then I had no idea that it was even possible - I was 16. I believe that the reason behind not talking nor making noise in labour and during birth for Scientologists is more than going inward and focusing. They believe that when one is in a state of pain, part of the brain is open and registers words, noises etc etc. This causes what they call an 'engram'. This means that whenever those words or noises are said again in the future, it will automatically transport the person back to the state of pain that they were in when those words or noises were uttered and can stiffle them as people and put them in a state of fear (pretty 'out there' I know, but each to their own). So the mother tries not to make noise or say words so that the baby, who is undoubtedly in some pain, will not get an "engram' from the birth experience and will be more able to live to their full potential. Interesting stuff - these women would probably be perfect candidates for hypnobirthing! Regards Jo Hunter From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Marilyn Kleidon Sent: Wednesday, April 21, 2004 9:45 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] quiet birth Hi Nicole:   A lot of our homebirth clients in California were Scientologists. I am NOT one myself. I do not remember them being particularly quiet or noisy in birth, just quite determined to get on with it, and not particularly open to hospital transfer which was ok since all of the births I attended with these families were delightfully normal. All of the recent clients were also enthusiastic breastfeeders which apparently wasn't true about 20 years ago. My California mentor had initially built her homebirth practice with Scientologist families and was most disturbed by their practice of not breastfeeding but feeding some barley water based formula concocted by L. Ron Hubbard (the leader). In any case they seem to have changed that practice in the last few years at least in my experience.   It is my experience that some devout women of various faiths: Muslim, Jewish, Christian, may be particularly quiet in labour as they pray during contractions: closing their eyes and going deep within themselves. This is particularly so with some such women when their husbands are not present beside them but instead praying in an adjoining room. I have found it very important to respect this sacred space for these women and allow the room for them to go deep inside themselves. They do not focus without but instead focus within. This was brought to my attention by a powerful Muslim woman about 10 years ago now, who I was trying (oh so erroneously) to help focus...outside herself during contractions, who said so firmly to me "could you please be quiet when I am contracting, I neeed to focus inside to pray". shut me up in a hurry.  This works so well for some women. Personally, I had to make noise, from 8cm until the birth, deep gutteral noise and I encourage this in women if it seems appropriate, it is jusy a hugely personal thing.   marilyn ----- Original Message ----- From: Nicole Christensen To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, April 19, 2004 8:46 PM Subject: [ozmidwifery] quiet birth I have just finished reading an article in the Women's Weekly on ' Kate Cebrano's quiet birth'.....which describes her belief re. labour & birth, which they tie to her Scientology, that labour and birth be a gentle, peaceful, quiet experience.... my first thoughts were quite positive... yet, I wonder when she states "but you don't want to scream out to that effect at all" and "screaming and yelling might be your primary urge, and completely natural, but what your'e trying to avoid is any suggestion that there's trouble at hand". Does this mean moaning and growling too??? Overall, I think the article is positive in the fact that it highlights natural birth.... but just wonder what others think - regarding her belief on women holding back from being noisy ?? I don't think that being quiet whilst in labour is a bad thing if mother decides this at time of labour.... but wonder about pre-conceived ideals PRIOR to labour... which prevent her from groaning etc if she would normally feel comfortable in doing so. look forward to your thoughts... cheers, Nicole ps. I quite like Kate Cebrano - so I'm not anti her... AND I was quiet during the birth of my first baby - BUT this was after a noisy 24 hour labour.... 4 hours of pushing.... and really due to complete exhaustion.....(and wasn't a premeditated thing).