Mubashira Abdur Raqeeb, M.D, shares some thought provoking reflections while being on the training journey with AMANI Birth:
- Allah has created the human body in the most perfect design, to birth and feed, so we must trust HIS design. Although birth is not without risk, Allah has provided many safety nets.
- Modern medicine, although many times working with good intention, tends to be a case of too much, too soon. No medicine has been proven completely safe for pregnancy, and pain can be managed naturally instead of opting for drugs.
- Many practices in modern medicine have had absurd origins (for e.g: lithotomy position). We have a right to refuse or consent to hospital "protocols"
- A birthing mother needs to choose her birthing partner (s) well ahead of time and need to "educate" them as well.
- Nutrition and exercise are the two most essential requirements over which the mothers have maximum control.
- Apart from being physically taxing, birth is emotionally taxing too. A mother needs to free herself of past issues to enter her labor with a clean slate.
- Mothers, educate yourselves! Making a birth plan and advocating is essential and not making a decision is actually a decision to hand over our bodies to the medical team. The mother alone bears the consequence of living with it.
- Birth consumerism: choosing a doctor and a hospital that best support our need is the most important step to ensure a natural birth. We must tie the camel first and then trust in Allah.
- Finally mothers need to understand that labor has a purpose. By forgoing pain either by choosing epidural for a vaginal birth or opting for C-section, the woman is basically rearranging her pre birth pain to post birth. However, if there are risks associated with the pregnancy, a mother may end up having a C-section, so keeping an open mind, accepting Allah's Qadr and keeping the goal for having a healthy mother and healthy baby will go a long way into having a positive birth experience.
Most low risk mothers are instinctively driven towards a natural birth.
Really good advice mashaaAllaah. While there are factors outside of our control, I like that the doctor points out that two things within a woman’s control: diet and exercise have a huge impact.
Thank you Dr Mubashira for reinforcing all the education we received in the Amani Birth Course. It is so wonderful to hear these testimony from an M.D. that Birth is a Natural process and that Mothers should follow their Instincts, and be be well prepared for their Pregnancy and Birth by practicing Consumerism, in order to find a facility and Practitioner that suits their Birth Plan and Needs.
Salam and hello. Sometimes it feels really good to hear that from a Doctor too. I mean, all that is evidence based. Not only guesses
I wonder why the practise goes so often against the Research and évidences.
It is very convincing to hear these thoughts, especially from a doctor,
“A witness from her family testified”
ومن المقنع جدًا سماع هذه الأفكار، خاصة من الطبيب
“وشهد شاهد من أهلها”
It is convincing to hear these thoughts, especially from a female doctor .”A witness from her family testified”
من المقنع سماع هذه الأفكار ،سيّما من طبيبة
“وشهد شاهد من أهلها”
I love that this is coming from an actual provider. When the provider is at the forefront supporting the mother with an all natural birth, its only natural that the rest of the team will follow the provider’s lead. I hope that this will encourage more mothers to be extremely mindful of who they choose to be present in their birth space.
Yes , subhan Allah , it is different when doctor said so
It is convincing to hear these thoughts, especially from a female doctor ….”A witness from her family testified”
Absolutely agree with everything !
This is so refreshing to hear feom a doctor. May ALLAH bless you for sharing your sentiments ameen.
💚💚💚
Makes more impact when a doctor speaks up! JazaakAllahu Khair 🌷