I have been truly convicted and engaged with this week's readings and videos. I have many friends and family who have given birth over the past year and each birth has been significantly different. All of the babies are alive and well, but all of them different. Some babies are breast fed and some bottle fed. Some born natural and some via cesarean. Each experience has been different, but the one likeness in each of them is the modern ideas of birth were present. Including inductions by choice, inductions due to multiples, inductions due to hypertension, all hospital births, delivered on their back, epidurals and/or other pain killers. All include either signifiant pain and/or fear. I have been terrified as a consumer of this knowledge over the past year and vowed a year ago to learn the most I could about choices and to gain a familiarity with the process, the natural process of birth.
In response to the question posed this week I feel we can learn a significant amount from our ancestors regarding the birthing process. The 4 main points I have gathered are: 1) birthing in an upright posture, 2) supporting women/men present at the birth, 3) support for the birthing mother that she is brave and strong, and 4) that a birth is meant to be a social event rather than a medical one. Starting from the top, our ancestors for years and years gave birth in an upright position either standing, squatting, or kneeling. This makes sense with the laws of physics as this position would allow for the aid of gravity. Secondly, the presence of the mother, helper, and receiver in a birth. I feel this is important as their are 2 people involved in birth, the mother and the baby. In my mind the helper is present for the mother and the receiver for the baby. All those present are of course attentive to both the mother and the baby, but the presence of 2 others does cover both parties (mother and baby). Thirdly, the mother is respected as a strong and capable entity. I feel this may be the most important point we can learn from our ancestors. Women are made to carry a child and give birth to a child. With that, I feel this may be the most paramount point to remember in our engagement with mothers. Lastly, the idea that in the past this has been a cause for celebration and not fear. The modern idea of birth is surrounded by fear and medicine and I think it is obvious with the rate of death during birth and cesarean deliveries in the US that a medical perspective of this life event may not be the most beneficial for our society.
To begin to describe the benefits of music during this life, I feel it is important to recognize that music is one of our most primitive characteristics as is birth. Thus, it is obvious that when used together these two primitive characteristics would work well. Initially I see music as most beneficial in the areas of stress reduction, preparation, and bonding. I see music as being a vital element in preparation for birth and an element that would easily and efficiently cross the pre and postnatal periods. I also see music as being a source of empowerment for the mother and partner as they prepare for the birth and for welcoming a new member to their family. I can also see music as being vital for focus and stress reduction, as well as, pain management during the birthing process. Lastly, I recognize that music could be extremely beneficial at the point of bonding between the mother, baby, and spouse/partner.
I have truly enjoyed reading and listening to the material for this week. I look forward to other's posts and engaging with you during this process. Happy Harmonies, Kristin
Yes Kristin you are right on target with your comments. Music does help in birth preparation and stress reduction during pregnancy. And it is amazing during the labor and birth on so many levels. And the music can have a very significant effect on the bonding of the family unit during pregnancy and after birth. We will learn how we can use music to support upright positions, support the birth partners, evoke sociological support, and to empower women in the birthing process. :)
Amazing how images from ancient times depict the power women possess when giving birth. The images shared from the video, “Timeless Way, “depict women as innate and strong to give birth. Additionally, having a helper and receiver present shows the support provided and needed for the mother and baby. Despite the pain involved, the overall process sounds like an amiable and joyous moment rather than a medical process, which began uprooting in the 1600’s. Unfortunately, some too many women from the 1600’s to 1960’s had minimal input in their birthing process. How dehumanizing it could have been to be viewed as an object, unconscious and alone for a pivotal moment in a woman’s life. If one thing our traditional ancestors have taught us, and have thankfully been revived, is that the upright position is beneficial and natural as fewer complications are experienced. The traditional way of giving birth allows women to be in control, supported, fulfilling and experience emotions as needed. Furthermore, many childbirth classes have been created. The two main approaches are APSO/Lamaze and The Bradley Method. To sum up each techniques, the APSO/Lamaze method include breathing exercises which focuses on relieving pain by reducing her perception of pain. On the other hand, The Bradley Method teaches women to trust their bodies to allow the natural process of labor to occur. With that said, I believe that music can be incorporated in both ways- distraction or supportive. The way music is used can be based on the mother’s preference, just like the type of child birthing class she selects. Superficially, music can be a distraction to the environment. But how sufficient is that method? The distraction technique may limit the capabilities music possesses. Personally, I view music as an extra person throughout the labor and birthing process, similarly like the helper and receiver. A woman not only develops a relationship with her doctor or, possibly, midwife, but also is given the opportunity to embody music as needed. Embodying the music can allow her to be in control during labor and birthing as she is able to experience various emotions consciously rather than disassociating or simply going through the motions of delivering a baby. Music can allow women to feel as if she is part of her treatment/birthing plan. Additionally, similarly to The Bradley Method, music provides an opportunity for natural birthing to happen as music possesses many elements, such as dynamic, tempo, lyrics, genre, mood, and instrumentation, to aide in the process. Music can be manipulated to support what is happening in the moment as each birthing experience is different. I can also imagine how singing can be beneficial as singing allows us to breathe from our stomach or even as low as our uterus. Figuratively and literally, the mother’s voice is heard and supported through her own breath and sound. Music becomes the support needed for the mother to “let go” as she needs to push, breathe, and focus. Even after delivery, music can be a subtle agent to aide with the bonding between each parent respectively and as a family, especially since many hospitals are now encouraging the Kangaroo care immediately after birth. There is a lot to be said in how our ancestors have given birth. How remarkable it is to seamlessly incorporate music with the traditional birthing experience.
I had forgotten I had this thought when reading about Lamaze versus the Bradley method. Distracting a woman from what is happening in her body doesn't sound as productive to me as creating something else for her to focus on through that experience.
Angel, I too was taken back by learning of the dehumanizing process birth became when medical interventions were instituted. It is a terrifying image and I feel for the women in my life that gave birth during that time. I was blown away with how much changed when medical interventions took over. The movie clip that they showed in the Timeless Way videos from the american medical association was utterly disturbing. The beauty was taken out of the process. I also like the way you express music as an extra person during the process that the woman can embody. I enjoyed reading your post! Kristin
I couldn't have said it any better and totally agree! I wish my grandmothers were still alive so that I could ask them about their birth experiences from the 40s. Do they wish it was a different experience? Do they know it could have been a different experience? It's sad to think how the generations before us were born and how their mothers gave birth. Such a lack of compassion. Though I can see the doctors of the time thought they were "saving women from the pain of childbirth". Even some doctors today seem quick to offer pain management.
I liked the "music as an extra person" also. It brought the image to mind of music being the person behind the mother giving birth as depicted in some of the early images of birthing. Holding and comforting.
Yes with the music you help create a safe space and emotional container for the birth experience. When mothers are allowed to birth uninterrupted and they feel safe and secure the process unfolds much more easily and organically. We can use music to help them feel safe and trust in their bodies and the process. :)
I think back and realize how little I had prepared myself for the births of my sons. I believe I went about it, as many women tend to do, with a "doctor knows best" frame of mind. Both were born via cesarean and due to their sizes I don't know if I could have delivered them vaginally. After going through this week's materials, I think about what I could have done differently in the process (especially my first birth when I did labor). It makes me eager to learn more in order to help other women achieve the birth that they desire. From our ancestors, we can learn (and get back to the idea) that giving birth is a natural process. Since the introduction of doctors, giving birth seems to have become a dramatic medical procedure. Along the way, women lost their voice about decisions regarding labor and delivery. The sense of support and power was lost. I believe this was an important part of the birthing process for our ancestors as the images of them giving birth depict that of strong women surrounded in support. There has been progress over the past 50 years, but the medical process still seems to win over the natural process. We can also learn from our ancestors that gravity is extremely helpful during labor and birth. Our ancestors gave birth in upright positions whereas common practice is to give birth lying down. Though medical intervention has become an important part of the process (resulting in fewer deaths of mothers and babies than in the past), I feel it has also become an inhibitor to the natural process of birth with which every woman is innately born. Music is as inherent to us as is the birth process. Music has been documented to lower blood pressure, heart rate, and anxiety as well as assist in pain control. Its use can be beneficial during pregnancy and birth where these are also common issues. Pregnancy itself (even a well planned one) can bring about a feeling of loss of control. Being a part of the music selection process can provide a sense of control and empowerment knowing that you are doing something important for your baby and for yourself. It is also a vital part to making a connection to and using the music as a support during labor. Music can be used to encourage the bonding process during pregnancy and continuing postpartum. Not only for typical pregnancies, but I think of cases such as high risk pregnancies, prior miscarriages, and pregnancy after infertility where this could be of particular importance. Pregnancy and birth (as well as parenting) can also be full of stressors and fears. Here music can help promote relaxation. Given the natural process of both music and birth, it's exciting to see how they can work in conjunction with one another for the benefit of the mother, her partner and baby.
Brenda thanks for making this statement "Being a part of the music selection process can provide a sense of control and empowerment knowing that you are doing something important for your baby and for yourself. " This is so important. :)
I appreciate this reply as well. This isn't something I've consciously thought but it is a very important part of the process we can offer clients who feel completely out of control of their circumstances during birth. Although it's not good to be completely IN control during birth (as we've read trying to be in control can impede the process of birth), the preparation of music prior to the birth offers individuals a tangible plan they can decide upon. This relates to polls that have shown women have higher levels of satisfaction with their birth when they are allowed to be an integral part of the decision making process.
I did the same thing as far as looking back and realizing how little prepared I was with my birth experiences. I think that is the biggest factor we can play. I was not as prepared as I should have been, yet I realized how much I did right instinctively! There were other things I didn't know enough about to say yes or no to or even realize I COULD say no! When you are pregnant, you have pretty much lost all control of your body, as if you really ever had any to begin with. Giving a woman power over the environment that surrounds her during labor (i.e., music, birth choices) is the best form of knowledge she will need.
in reflecting on the information covered this week the things that struck me as most significant that we can learn from our ancestors is the importance of the mother feeling empowered and supported (physically and mentally) in what ever way most resonates with her durning the birthing process and birthing while in an upright position or a position that feels most natural to her. Music can support these process in many ways. It can provide a "container" and safe space for the mother and those who are supporting her. It can serve as a point of focus or a distraction depending upon the need at the time. It can provide comfort, a sense of familiarity and "home" if it is familiar music. It can motivate and keep a tired mother in the moment. It can have physiological impact on the mother and as a result, the baby. It can be used as a bonding it anchoring element for the mother and those attending to her as well as between the mother and the baby. It can be a powerful tool in supporting a mother through the birth process.
“Women risk their lives in child birth”. This comment from one of the videos went deep into my heart, and that is so true. Not only mothers of human beings risk their lives in child birth, but also mothers of the animal kingdom, many of them even scarify their lives after giving birth. Like spiders, a mother spider will let her babies dissolve her from inside out, so that her babies can feast on her nutritious body for survival. Even though pregnancy and the delivery process include a lot of pain, fear, life risking or the worst - death, birth giving is still going on. With that said, in my own opinion, pregnancy and birth giving do not only representing how strong and powerful mothers are, but also BRAVENESS to carry babies and maintaining lives, and this should be highly acknowledged and respected by everyone. Applauses to all the mothers here!
From our ancestors, they reaffirmed us that giving birth is a natural process. Although medical advancement from nowadays provided many pain management and birthing options for mothers; how a mother position herself and how to include helpers and families to support her during the birthing process are very important as well. The classic birthing post (upright position either sitting, standing kneeling or squatting) is still used by many mothers who delivery their babies vaginally today. It makes use of gravity to help with the process, causes fewer complications, and let the mother feels more in control during the birthing experience. Like I said in my first paragraph, giving birth is life risking; even with the advanced medical intervention, the strongest and the bravest mothers (regardless if they are first-timers or experienced mothers), might still have stress and fear. Having the sense of being supported and empowerment facilitate the process and will make it a more fulfilling and positive experience.
Music serves as one of the members of the supporting team when the mother chooses music to be her nonpharmacological interventions. Music is beneficial in supporting breathing, remaining calm, focus, in discomfort management and to enhance family bonding with the baby. Besides the sense of control and empowerment, being involved in the music selection or creation (i.e. womb song) allows the mother to feel more connected with the baby, that they are supporting communicating and working with each other (the baby is also part of your delivery process). I believe that can help with stress relief and lessen the fear of the birthing process.
I like your point about the baby being part of the delivery process, and how a womb song can help a mother feel this way as she feels more connected to her baby. Thanks!
I, too, love the mention that the baby is a part of the process and that music (especially familiar music or voices) can help relieve some of the trauma that is being birthed.
Yes creating a womb song is a great way to connect with and communicate with the baby in utero, and also begin a foundation for the relationship outside the womb. :)
From the readings and videos this week I have been thinking a lot of the importance of empowerment for women during the birth experience. Since birth has become more of a medical event I feel women many times are treated as patients in the hospital instead of being treated as someone going through a natural process that often does not need tending to by medical interventions. Having recently gone through labor and deliver I can comment on my personal experience of feeling incredibly vulnerable. I feel that without my support team I would have been much less able to make choices through my labor and delivery and fear I would have felt taken advantage of even though the medical staff had my best interests in mind. It is so important that women and their partners have knowledge about what birth can look like so they feel empowered to be active participants in the birth process. I believe that every birth can and should be a positive and empowering experience.
Music can be a source of empowerment and support for women during labor. I feel that as a music therapist it will be my responsibility to provide women and families with many opportunities to make choices and support them as they go through this transformative experience. In addition, having music playing during labor can create an environment in which a woman is able to focus inwardly on her labor experience and may allow her to better handle the discomfort and intense sensations she is experiencing. Music can also provide women and their partners opportunities to bond before, during, and after labor as they choose and write music for their experience and for their baby.
Traditional ways of birthing (including upright posture, social support of partner and other women, and empowerment of the mother) seems to be a seamless extension of a mothers natural life. Listening to your body, feeling safe to follow your instinct even when something is unfamiliar or unknown to you, feeling like you have the power to use your voice, turning to loved ones for care and support, and surrounding yourself with supportive women to encourage and empower your own unique strength and bravery. Isn't that motherhood in a nutshell and the skills that it takes to care for a newborn? I feel like a birthing environment that creates this extension to "natural life" would be a catalyst to empower a women into motherhood. What an incredible start to life as a family with a new baby. The medical approach seems to leave a mother feeling helpless, out of control, and scared. What a difficult transition to walk out of the door with a newborn.
My thoughts go toward first mothers who have made an adoption plan for their baby. Mothers who are walking out the door WITHOUT a newborn. I can't imagine. Loving your child enough to know you want something more for them. Something you can't give them. It just breaks my heart thinking that some of these women must also face a delivery involving fear and elements where they feel out of control and scared. If their decision of adoption isn't enough to be struggling with.
I think adoption agencies would benefit greatly from providing and offering MTACB. What an incredible tool of empowerment to offer women choosing the best for their child. In most cases their partner is not in the picture (and a huge factor to their adoption decision), and family members can often be unsupportive and refuse to be apart of her birthing experience. Although music paired with support is the most preferred option, what about mothers who do not have any social support? I think music (and a music therapist) would be an extremely powerful tool to fill in the gap for limited family support, offer a means of empowerment, and cultivate a language that is communicating that she is brave, strong, and capable.
What an incredible tool to provide these first mama's with an opportunity to write a song to their babies, saying hello and goodbye, and processing the birth and decision once they are home. I think that would be amazing.
I agree that it would definitely benefit women who are giving their babies to adoption because beyond the birth of the baby there is an additional grief process. Utilizing music would be a wonderful way to help say hello/goodbye and to help process all of the feelings that arise prior to and after the delivery.
As someone who HAS had to walk out of the hospital without their child, (36 week stillbirth), I felt like I did not have choices when it came to my care. It was assumed that I wanted the event over as quickly as possible and home as quickly as possible. I left the hospital 12 hours after giving birth. In hindsight, I wish I would have had a doula or someone to help us through the experience of induction, shock, and saying hello/goodbye to our child in such a trying time. To say the least, it was traumatic. I'm sorry to bring up such a personal story, but I really did feel like most decisions were being made for me, and I was completely out of control.
Mary - I'm so sorry for the loss of your baby as well as your experience. No parent should feel rushed through that process especially given the added emotions that a stillbirth brings. I think that's another area where MTACB can be of assistance - saying goodbye and dealing with the grief process through music.
Mary I too am so sorry for the loss of your child. Yes a music therapist or a doula can be a great support and comfort during this time. I am sorry that you were rushed through the process and that you felt you had no control. Please send me a personal message if you have any questions you would like to ask privately.
Mary, I am sorry to hear about the loss of your baby. Thank you for having the courage to share a personal information with this group. I think the medical field needs to examine more on how psycho-social needs are provided for families. Many times people have spoken how they do not feel like there are options available for them, or feel rushed out of the hospital. Unfortunately, the medical field has built up to the idea of just managing symptoms or addressing the physical pain. Now, slowly, the psycho-social needs are being addressed in some parts of the hospital. Providing support within the labor & delivery room is just as important as other parts of the hospital.
And Erin, I like your idea of incorporating music therapists in adoption agencies. How powerful music can have on allowing a parent or parents to bond with their new child (and vice versa).
When it comes to ancient wisdom and knowledge about birthing, I feel that if women listen to their bodies they can overcome a lot of the medical needs surrounding birth. Like others have stated, positioning, support and encouragement, and empowerment are all important. I think the empowerment piece may be the most overlooked in current modern society. In my own birth experience, my medical team assumed I didn't want to feel any pain and automatically offered me every pain medicine available as soon as I could have it. I didn't know any better. I think those sort of situations rob women of the experience of birth. Music can definitely contribute to empowerment with the couple choosing significant and powerful music that relates to them and their journey. Familiar music and songs can evoke strong emotions and feelings that could help a woman relax or help a woman rally when she thinks she doesn't have the strength to continue. Just as my husband and I still listen to the song lists from our wedding (that we carefully picked ourselves), I can see a birth playlist being used throughout a child's life. Carefully picked and chosen by grateful parents.
I love the idea of music incorporated into life stories. How powerful. Mary, what an lovely idea to incorporate wedding songs for couples.
Interesting point that the medical team assumed you didn't want to feel any pain and automatically offered you every pain medicine. I can't help but think they did the same thing with your emotional process and grief after the birth. It's easier to move right past and not look at and into the pain that is exposed in ourselves and those around us during loss. How powerful to have a team of professional that would have supported you as you walk through pain- both pysically and emotionally. I feel so passionate in educating others to provide and create this environment for mothers in labor.
I've been enjoying the readings as I prepare for my own natural (or responsible) birth. Many of the warnings regarding conventional birthing pressures I read about were simply confirmations from other sources I've been reading about. It makes a lot of sense to me to treat the female pregnant body the way it was created to birth, utilizing the wisdom of the body's natural oxytocin and other necessary hormones rather than supplying the body with artificial ones that usually make birthing more painstaking and long. Since women have been giving birth for centuries without all the technology that we think is helping make birth more effective, I think there is a lot we can learn from our ancestors about how to ensure a safe, effective, and joyful delivery. Experienced midwives and doulas have a wealth of knowledge for making natural birth happen that, when paired with the support of a supportive obstetrician as a back-up, it seems the best options are being offered a family. Music only complements the process of supporting families through labor and delivery. Some things that have been highlighted to me: 1) the importance of positive language when a woman is laboring, 2) the usefulness of movement throughout labor in order to move the baby into the best position when it comes time for delivery, 3) encouraging parents to take responsibility for educating themselves on the alternatives in birth, and 4) making the most of all the support people you choose to invite into your labor. 1) Positive affirmation when working with clients is always a necessity! How much more will this be needed during the challenges of labor. Encouraging words in music or simply having a list of possible positive spoken affirmations would be a worthwhile addition to the birthing process. 2) Television and movies have portrayed women in a horizontal position, and as very fragile when going through labor and delivery. This portrayal naturally excludes the need women have to move during labor. It makes sense to listen to your body when you're uncomfortable and make a different positional choice. This may be a good place to bring up body mapping and the Alexander technique-if you're hurting in your body, change your position and keep observing! Listening to and making music are some of the best motivators for movement that I can think of. Get the right music going and I'm going to dance! (Not sure how much I'll actually dance during my own labor...we'll see!) 3) Education about one's options and having an equal voice in the decision making is so critical to making a birth satisfactory experience (as research has shown). If indicated with a client, a humorous song about all the options could be written in the process of being educated with the clients about birth. 4) When a person invites a music therapist into their labor experience, it is an honor and a sacred trust. This should be approached with much care and sensitivity. It's important to know how much the family wants your involvement in the process and to know when to defer to others on the support team or take a step back. Music provides one of the most comforting, compelling, encouraging, thought-provoking modalities that I know of. How wonderful to have the opportunity to offer familiar music to soothe/calm, driving music to pump up, and newly written music (for clients) to have remembrance of this special occasion.
Anna, I think your observation about how women in birth are portrayed in the media is a powerful one. Time and time again we see women on TV and in the movies as fragile and struggling during their labor, screaming out of control while they are surrounded by medical professionals. Thinking about the impact this has on a large scale towards the expectations women have when entering on this journey I feel we have a responsibility to help women and their partners educate themselves so they can feel confident in having a voice and opinion about their experience!
Yes it is an honor and a sacred trust. It is an incredibly private and special time that we are invited to share in. It must always be remembered that we are there to support the family in the most non-directive way possible to help them achieve empowerment and bonding in their own unique way.
What can we learn from our ancestors? For one, Birth is a natural process. It happens no matter what we do to try to stop it or delay it or "make it better". Birth is a natural process and our bodies know what to do...It is our minds that get in our own way. Our ancestors had it right when they held birth as a celebration with the birthing mother as the center of the focus. Yes, complications can happen, that is a part of nature. But the more we try to control complications with interventions, we can more often cause even more complications. Music can support this by empowering the mother. Choosing a playlist is a great way of giving the mother power over her environment. Writing a womb song/birth song is a way of bonding with her baby by the soothing sound of her voice, but also by the chemical changes in her body as she sings it to her child. I still tear up thinking of "You are my sunshine" because that is the song my daughter most associates with her childhood...I know I sang it to her every night after she was born and most nights before she was born. Music can be that auditory focal point to help her relax and stay on top of the contractions before they get to be too much to take. Music can also be that stimulus to move her body (rocking, walking, swaying, dancing) even when she feels too exhausted to go on, which in turn helps with positioning of the baby and moves labor along.
It's shocking to think that childbirth, which used to be such a natural and instinctive social event, has become quite regimented, especially in the United States. Friends who are from other countries have always expressed shock in how America views childbirth (and childcare and healthcare in general). I'm originally from Alabama where we do not have midwives and after seeing the progression of the development of childbirth, I can't help but be upset that midwives are not more accessible in our country!
What we can learn from our ancestors is how to have that sense of community once again. The video of the 1940s woman packing her suitcase to go to the hospital was comical and sad at the same time. Women have felt like birth has been a solo event for so long and I am thankful that things are beginning to change in healthcare. I feel like modern medicine has worked so hard to create structure and procedures for every type of medical event, which has taken away the ability to follow natural instinct. Our ancestors were able to survive and thrive with very little, and to add so many modern conveniences actually can take away from the natural process of life events. By allowing nature to take it's course, and by allowing our bodies to work in labor in a natural way, we can avoid so many other interventions that would quickly follow. Now, that doesn't mean complications can't happen. They can always happen, even if you follow every procedure correctly. That's part of nature! So we do need to be aware of complications and how to handle them if they happen.
Our ancestor used the sense of community and support to also create a comfortable environment during childbirth, and this is what music can be used to provide as well. Using familiar music and choosing the music with our clients/patients will give a sense of autonomy and control over the entire birthing experience. While pregnant, mothers can feel like they don't have control over things, and I've known plenty of friends who have felt like their doctors controlled their birth process. Providing music therapy gives them a sense of control and helps mentally prepare them for childbirth, and ensures a calmer, less chaotic environment. Because music is directly associated with our memories, it can create a beautiful memory for the parents and their newborn child.
Yes Anna well said. Music is very empowering and and help give women a sense of control. And fathers too. :) And yes it does create amazing and beautiful memories that will last a lifetime. It really heightens the experience, bonding and family connection.
I absolutely love this video. It was used during my DONA international workshop training. It gives insight into what some Africans call, Sankofa; which means looking back at our pass in order to move wisely in our present and future. These artifacts left behind show us exactly how in tuned we as women were with nature. For all these different civilizations at different times in history from all over the world to have similar birthing positions is astonishing; it shows the interconnectedness of us all. It allows us to see the importance of birth taking place in a calm, tranquil, loving and peaceful environment with the support of those who have experience and unconditional love for us. The change in the birth process, shows me as a spiritual aspirant just how much humans as a collective have move further and further away from natural ways of doing things. Despite this detour, the Earth has shown its need for all things inhabiting it to rise in consciousness; and that is why we see more and more people becoming more awaken to how we really should proceed in our human evolution and are now applying it to their everyday lives. The video explains that a lot of the issues women are now facing are due to the unnatural perception of birth being a medical circumstance rather then a social and spiritual phenomenon. It teaches us that going with the natural flow of things has provent o be more successful then going against it. Naturally when we are in an upright position gravity pulls down on us, and if we are giving birth to a child our main priority is to bring baby down, and what better way to do so then to allow the energy of gravity to help us do so. When lying supine, gravity cannot assist us and therefore leaving out the spiritual energetic part of existence out of the birthing process. If we see things holistically we would conclude that doing this is not only unnatural but also potential detrimental to our growth and development as human beings. Since music is everywhere and in everything it in itself is natural and the voice of the unseen world. Music aiding in assistance during the birthing process helps change the vibration of the environment into one that is more conducive to a healthy and successful birth. We have a plethora of research that shows us how everything vibrates at a certain frequency and that those different frequencies results in different outcomes. In support of this research there have been studies showing how music is all vibration and that depending on the type of music being played can also determine the outcome of what the environment may be. With carefully selected music we could potentially alleviate unnecessary outcomes that may take place during the birth process.
Yes I too find this video very powerful although it is painful to watch to see what women went through. It is important for us to know the history so we can educate women about what their choices are and possibilities for beautiful, peaceful birth. The upright posture is so important! :)
From this week's materials I have become aware of several main points related to the process of childbirth from the historical perspective. It is fascinating to me that certain characteristics in the process were consistent across many different eras and areas of the world. These included standard birthing positions including posture and multiple support persons that encouraged the mother's own strength and abilities. Being that we are here to learn more about using music therapy to support the mother (and subsequently the baby) it was uplifting to learn that the role of the supporter has been established long before our time. This also reinforces the need for effective support for the mother.
One of my favorite lines from the informational video of the week was when the narrator pointed out that there was significant changes in the birthing positions used during the past century or so, although there has not been any change in women's bodily structure for many thousands of years. There is clearly an intuitive way in which women's bodies are created to function during childbirth and being aware and supportive of this natural preparedness is critical as we seek to empower the mother.
I see providing this support as the main role of music therapy in the childbirth process. Music is able to reduce stress not only through breathing techniques but also through learned relaxation responses to specific, preferred music. Similarly music therapy has proven to reduce pain perception as it provides alternate engagement for our brains. Music brings a sense of safety through familiarity in a potentially unfamiliar environment and experience. Such music can also provide a sense of control and further empowerment in the childbirth process. In general, I view music as a crucial tool in helping the mother on a psychological level, leading to additional physical support as well, throughout the various challenges that arise in the childbirth process.
Yes music in labor is very important for empowerment, pain management, safety and familiarity. The essential elements for all successful birth experiences are safety, calmness, and being unobserved. Music can provide a safe space or container for the birth experience. Endorphins are released when listening to music that decrease pain perception and make it seem as though contractions are shorter than they actually are. Music also evokes sociological support from loved ones and care givers that contribute to feelings of safety and calm while in labor.
I’ve got 3 points of most impression from our ancestors about traditional ways of birthing: posture; support; and birthing as a life experience. 1. Posture. Women in delivering should trust our intuition as human being, try different posture letting us feel better and find out which postures are more functional. Lying on back is the change along with the development of medical technology when help birthing in difficulties, but not the natural posture. 2. Support. Expectant mother need support from her loved one, her partner, and from experienced woman, like her mum, doula, and other professional people. She’d need more both physical and psychological support, but not instruction. Encouragement should give her more empowerment. The warm, quiet, familiar enviorentent is also part of support. 3. Life Experience. Giving birth to a baby is a special physiological process, and a sacred psychologiclal process. It is a process partners expecting a new life their product. In the processing of delivery, the more women trust her body, be connected with her body tightly, the more she will have the feeling of self-controll, and will manage the pain better.Music is an empower media to help people related with themselves, help the expectant mother related tightly with her inner side, and empower her body. Sorry for my English, hope you can understand my expression, haha...
I agree that we have learned of the importance of the expecting mother having several forms of support from people in various roles. Hopefully a music therapist is one of those supportive people as we can offer a supportive environment and relationship through music. It is so true the idea you have brought up that the entire labor process is incredibly significant for a woman (and her partner) in not only a physical but a psychological and emotional way. Being such an important event can create pressure surrounding it in that there can be many expectations. Hopefully music therapy is able to be a medium through which the more positive expectations are met!
Yes Ming Ming- you said it all and I totally agree. And your English is great! And Audrey you are right too- giving birth is a Bio-Psycho- Social process. Many aspects of our being is integrated through the process of giving birth. Music can be used to support the process more fully and deeply and aid in relaxation, self confidence and trust in the self.
Yes Ming Ming- you said it all and I totally agree. And your English is great! And Audrey you are right too- giving birth is a Bio-Psycho- Social process. Many aspects of our being is integrated through the process of giving birth. Music can be used to support the process more fully and deeply and aid in relaxation, self confidence and trust in the self.
Yes birth is sacred and a developmental process as a woman. We need to trust our intuition and work together with the baby through this process. Developing a strong bond and communication with baby in utero is an essential part of preparing for the birth process.
It was amazing to watch these videos and to see how the birthing process changed so quickly in such a short period of time. In the earliest of artwork, such as the piece from Ancient Cyprus, the most common position was shown as the mother in an upright position with a helper and a receiver. In this “classic pose,” the mother is always depicted as being larger or stronger, showing the respect and reverence that was placed upon a mother and the birthing process. When the Lithotomy position began to be used, it increased complications during birth, which then increased the need for more medical measures to be used. When the medical “options” turned to “standards of treatment” around the 1950s and 1960s, the birthing process turned into a cold, calculated, and sterile process: sterile from emotions and support. Frankly, watching the clips from that period of time, where the mother was alone and often unconscious was completely terrifying and unnerving, a stark difference from the empowering, community-oriented scenes represented by the early birth images.
Moving forward, I believe there is so much we can learn from our ancestors about birthing methods; we can learn not only from the successes, but also from the mistakes. When women were forced to lie on their backs and venture through birth alone, many issues arose medically and emotionally. Conversely, when women were in upright positions and encouraged by their support system, healthy births were more common.
One way to support mothers through the labor and delivery process is through music. Music has been shown in many instances to empower individuals in various settings (including the labor and delivery setting) and is a great tool to add to a mother’s support system. The empowerment can come from many elements: by connecting fully to the music or from maintaining control by choosing what music to use and how to use it. For some mothers, it may be that “third person” in the classic pose and for others it may be just another piece adding to the entire experience. Music as also been shown to promote relaxation. This is important to both the mother and the others in the support team. Bringing life into the world is a fully exhausting journey and the mother will face times where she needs to be able to take calming breaths and prepare herself in a relaxing environment. Also, if the members of the support team are relaxed and confident, they will be able to more fully support the mother. The music helps achieve that state of relaxation because it acts as an anchor: when events occurring in the environment become distracting or hectic, the music stays constant and acts as a mental “focal point.” Finally, music is versatile and can help any woman achieve the birth experience she desires. Whether that experience is with no medical interventions or with many medical interventions, whether it is in a hospital, in a home, or another setting, whether everything goes according to plan or if unplanned circumstances arise, music has the ability to fit in with any birth plan to support women through their experiences.
I was struck by the readings and videos how different birth has become over the years. My grandmother has always told of how she was put in twilight sleep to give birth, while my cousin who had a baby a few months ago went to a birthing inn and had a midwife. Because of this I was already vaguely aware of the transition from the more sterile hospital setting to more holistic, natural care that is becoming more common. I had no idea the extent of it though nor had really grasped how far we had drifted from the practices of old. I was struck with how birth through the ages has been a celebrated and highly depicted event. I had no idea the art and imagery associated with it and was amazed how it spanned across cultures and regions. I feel with that much similarity there is definitely cause for learning form our ancestors on the topic. I learned that by the 1930s birth was a sterile, medical procedure. It was treated like a surgery. And this was not how it was in the past. I learned the following timeless elements of the birth process, that span cultures and regions: 1) birth is a social time and there is traditionally a support system present, 2) women have been depicted as strong during the birth process, 3) upright and supported positions have been traditional, and I feel like taking this new knowledge about birth and what I already knew about music I could see the similarities in the two and how they would aid so well. Music can be a social experience. Birth, historically, was social too. Music is a universal language and traditional birthing methods seem to be universal as well. Music is supportive, motivating, and calming, history has proven that women need the presence of people to do those same things. How much more can the effects of the human support system be multiplied by the addition of music? As the video pointed out, the idea of the empowered mother, is resurging. Music’s empowering nature can only be an asset to this. The readings and videos pointed out how individual each birth is, how each circumstance is different and each mother’s preference is different. Music can be manipulated. All the different elements, dynamics, tempo, style, can all be tailored to specific situation moment by moment. The elements of melody and breathing also can be adjusted too. I honestly viewed birth in the more sterile form until this reading. It has definitely broadened by views.
Wow! How times have changed. From the beautiful scenes of childbirth and the support from women and men, to the exclusion of men in the room, to scheduling your childbirth experience months before you are ready to give birth so your doctor can fit it in her schedule. We have come a long way and not so sure the path took a long detour and we are still trying to get to our roots.
Posture: I never really thought of it even with my two births. The upright posture just makes sense. It is natural and logical. The support and positive feel of the women and the midwife and others present in the room feels like a community working together creating an accepting loving way to bring a child into the world. But also society has created the sense of negative body image and I wonder if this does not play into the freedom and the letting go of allowing others to be with you during this sacred time.
Support: Not only the support physically, during labor, but the emotional support the mother feels before the birthing process begins and during labor is different from modern methods of today. We have become sterile in all aspects. Emotionally and medically. Some for the good and but seems we have become accustom to the staleness of childbirth. We have forgotten the roots of where we came and how our ancestors embraced childbirth.
Childbirth brings up a wide variety of emotions, from joy, anxiety, pain, exhilaration, anticipation, scared, content and exhaustion just to name a few. Music also can bring emotions on all levels. Using music as a tool to assist in this process is natural. Since ancient times music has been used to elicit emotions and make us feel and think. Music as the old saying goes is universal. Music seems like an extra soul in the room there to support and guide in the beauty of birth. Music can be that familiar friend we need before childbirth, that strong friend we need during childbirth, and that relaxing and loving, nuturing friend we need after childbirth.
As each of us have unique personalities and needs, music is a way to match the woman's uniqueness and needs at any given moment.
This has been a great insight and reflection of where we were and where we are.
I loved some of the words you chose to explain birth in your second paragraph- sacred, natural, accepting...
Personally, I feel there has been a push from this generation of women to return to more "natural" ways of birth. These women are educated, they want to feel empowered, and they want to be in charge (get it ladies!) But, of course, there are many things that still need work. As clinicians, it is our job to honor their request, but at the same time know when we need to step back, and to know when their request might not be safe.
I think music lends itself well to birth for many of the reasons you stated. I took GIM a few years back and the saying was always "Trust the music" and I find the playlist and programs in MTACB require a similar level of trust from the music therapist.
Yes Corinne and Karla- the music is your co-therapist in the experience. It is the container and holds the space for the sacred birth experience. It informs anyone entering the birthing area nonverbally that this mother and baby are being protected and cared for during this experience. Staff amd care givers respond and treat the laboring mother differently in the music therapy environment. The music serves so many functions as you will learn about in the second week of this course. We need to empower women and their support team through this process and music allows this to happen naturally and in a beautiful way. Because the music is non-verbal during the active and transition phases of labor it can be used to communicate and support so effectively when words cannot.
These videos were very familiar to me since about a year ago I was knee-deep in researching and making my own birth plan. As a person who typically leans towards a natural and holistic lifestyle I knew that I did not want to be in a supine position during birth. I imagined myself surrounded by my partner, mother, and good friend as I brought my child into this world without the use of drugs. I so badly wanted the "timeless way" described in these videos, however it did not go as such. After weeks of false labor, my water broke 5 days after my due date. At the hospital my contractions were not effective and about 8 or 9 hours later I was put on pitocin to increase their effectiveness. At that point, I was no longer allowed to move freely around the room because they needeed to monitor the baby. Eight more hours passed and the pitocin only gained us about .5-1 cm for a total of 2.5-3 cm. If anyone else has experienced pitocin-it's no joke. The contractions felt monumental, however were not as effective as they had hoped. Without progress and evidence that Sage was not responding well every time the pitocin was delivered, my midwife said to "do the cesarean now before it becomes an emergency cesarean".
Needless to say, my birthplan and expectations went out the window completely. Because the cesarean was not an emergency I was allowed to stay awake during the C-section, my partner was geared up in surgical gear, and he got to hold Sage right after the OB took him out. I was able to hold and nurse him very shortly after. Despite having a wonderfully healthy baby, I sometimes feel like I didn't give birth. I missed out on those empowering parts and skipped right to a painful C-section recovery. I think that in a modern age it is great to have the "timeless way" be the standard, but I also think there is importance in not putting all the power and female goddess into that image of the mother-warrior pushing because a lot of women don't have that. I think I could have (and honestly, still could) taken more credit for my power and an excellent way to do so would have been through song. Interestingly enough, my OB surgeon did take it upon himself to let me pick my Spotify station and fate had its way of playing a winner for Sage's arrival, but how great would it have been to have my own playlist! I truly believe there is a song for every occasion, and if there's not a music therapist has the ability to make one. Since music is so innately personal, the mother and her support system could use music to contour their experience and help cope when things don't go as planned.
NIcoletta thank you for sharing your story. I am glad that your baby arrived safely but am sorry that things did not go as you had planned. I understand about the pitocin as I too have experienced it. It feels very different than regular contractions- like 100 times more painful. Research has shown that with careful preparation, music, and support during the birth process by a music therapist that even when the birth does not go as planned it can still be a positive and empowering experience for the birth mother. I encourage you to think about your strength and your power as you reflect on how you labored. Even though the entry of your son to the world was not what you planned you were an amazing mother goddess laboring on pitocin for 8+ hours which requires super human strength. You should also feel empowered about your desires to bring your son gently into this world. Yes the music is such an important part of this process. We will be learning the basic process in this course, but with further study you will learn how to support women when complications arise in birth.
Hi Nicoletta! I thought I responded to this earlier, and then realized I hadn't whoops!
Anyway. Your story struck me because I think it is something that some many women experience. We spend 9 months planning the best we can, only to have the rug pulled out from us. Just one of the many lessons birthing can teach.
In the end, I am so happy your baby arrived safely and you have recovered. I hope that you still feel empowered by your son's birth story, because like Mary said, you did an amazing job bringing him into this world, even if it wasn't as planned!
These videos were really engaging. I think my biggest takeaway was the universality of traditional birthing postures and the fact that women innately found positions that facilitated healthy birthing. It's pretty incredible what the human body can do.
My other takeaway was the fact that women before modern medical birthing were depicted as capable and active in the process and how that changed. Previously they were viewed as having autonomy and influence over the process. Their whole being was considered and utilized. I think that the transition to seeing people as a singular condition and something to "fix" is problematic and is present in many medical settings, not just labor ones.
I think that we can take the practice of using the innate strengths of women in the birthing process. Music fits into this because it's one more aspect that the woman can have influence and and pull in. Music is also communal so it can help integrate the woman's support system into the birth process.
Well said! I think for many women birth is a "natural" skill. They just know what it is they need to do (or don't want to do!).
I just read something the other day that said the whole counting to 10 thing while pushing has very little effectiveness. I don't remember all the details, but essentially, women push for nearly that long naturally, without someone counting in their ear.
The thing that stood out to me the most was something that we have been learning and discussing since day one of our music therapy courses- empowerment! That is so important in every aspect of our work, so it only makes sense that it fits into birthing as well, and is a key component of what we can carry on from our ancestors. I believe we can provide that sense of empowerment needed to endure the pain and stresses that come with child bearing in music because of it's ability to serve as both a driving force and also a safe space for their own unique needs and desires as a mother. Expanding on what Nicoletta mentions, it's important to empower women to have their own choices and control over their situation and be sensitive and respectful of their decisions.
Empowerment with music goes from facilitating determination and strength of natural birth and to reaches to the other end to mothers who may be unsure or even fearful throughout the process.
Yes Patricia- the music therapist guides the mother and her partner with music and support to empower, ease anxiety and increase relaxation because this is so important for mother and baby during pre-natal, labor, and post partum periods.
Music therapy is so much about empowering the people we work with; whether it's a client with CP, a person with dementia, or a laboring mother. My goals almost always center on ways to make them feel in control of their own life.
Empowerment is certainly the word! I think it's actually almost the norm to be taught to feel disempowered during pregnancy - we are taught that it is something to be feared, something that requires medical treatment. Obviously medical intervention is an amazing thing when it is needed - like in Nicoletta's case (and P.s Nicola - you are amazing, I think you really got the full spectrum of the giving birth thing and don't deserve to feel like you missed out or any less!), but it is sad to see that the majority of women still believe that they should deflect all power to medical professionals in every area of birthing. These videos were familiar to me, as it was not so long ago I was researching and learning all about natural birthing for my own birth. As I previously mentioned in my intro, I was fortunate enough to have a wonderful birthing experience - however I also know that not all of it was due to 'luck' (as so many of my friends kept telling me - "you were so lucky!"). I attended birth classes with a more holistic approach that focused on empowerment, natural birthing skills and also spoke about how women had birthed traditionally. I found Ina May Gaskin's book a wonderful source of inspiration and knowledge and attended yoga classes, ate really well and had lots of acupuncture. My baby was in breech up until the 36th week and on the suggestion of my wonderful mid-wives at the birth centre, I followed the spinningbabies.com suggestions and that, with some acupuncture (and probably a bit of luck), moved her into the right position - I was very relieved because it was birth centre policy that with a breech baby at 37 weeks, you are moved from there to hospital care. I only allowed myself to be surrounded by positive birthing stories (e.g. have you seen this? https://youtu.be/EsNhCWsDVQI) and tried to focus only on what I did want and not what could go wrong. Was I superhuman? no. Did I yell out for an epidural? Yes! Did I wish for it to be over? Yes! But in the end, thanks so some amazing support from a student midwife, my husband (who kept doing low 'ohm' sounds which acted as my anchor), my own knowledge and research and yes, a little bit of luck, I had an intervention and drug free birth that last for 10 hrs. I didn't get the water birth I wanted and planned for, but it was pretty good! I guess my point is that every time I say I had no drugs and no tearing, people constantly tell me I was lucky. But I really felt like I trained for it, treating it like a marathon and I was lucky that I had come in contact with the right people, to give me the right knowledge to inspire the confidence that I really could do this. Music and sound without a doubt helped me and that's why I'm passionate about helping women to re-embrace our power through birthing.
Love Ina May and Spinning Babies! You had a great birth because you were prepared, music played an important role, and you had amazing support! Positive birth stories are so important. Negativity causes self doubt, fear and anxiety, which in turn can have significant effects on the birth experience. So glad you joined this course and thanks so much for sharing your experiences with the group. :) MD
I think traditional ways of birthing, described in the videos, make childbirth so much more organic, natural, and inclusive of the whole woman and family/support persons. Music obviously can enhance the environment for all present persons and be used intentionally for promoting a healthy childbirth and holistic support of the mother.
In response to this week’s question, one thing we can learn from our ancestors about childbirth is that all the technology and interventions we have today are not completely medically necessary. The fetal monitors are a necessary intervention, but continuous monitoring is not. Other interventions that confine a woman to a bed during delivery are also not necessary and can make the labor longer, harder, and less pleasurable. An IV for fluids can be avoided if the mother eats and drinks, and without the IV and monitors she is able to move/walk/and easily change positions.
The way a woman gives birth is also an area where we can learn from our ancestors. Lying on their back is a traditional way now but this works against gravity. Our ancestors gave birth in positions where they could use gravity in their favor. It not only lets the mother not have to push as hard but it is better for the baby. With the mother on her back, the baby runs the risk of not receiving enough oxygen.
Doctors and hospitals today typically medicate for any pain and even in anticipation of pain, where as our ancestors may not have had epidurals or similar medications. This is the perfect opportunity for music. Since music has been shown to provide an analgesic effect, the need for pain medications can be drastically reduced, in addition to being used to regulate breath, heart rate, and to decrease stress levels. Music can also be a way to aid in bonding. A mother can write a song and sing/play it for their baby before their birth and then play/sing the same song following their birth. I think music can provide what is missing in some births. Among other things, music is supportive, comforting, provides a distraction, and can facilitate either an intimate or social experience.
Medically we have come along way, but at what cost to those giving birth.
Yes, yes, and yes to all. Music touches everyone in the birth environment and creates a sacred space for a new life to enter into. We must protect this environment and support the parents as they welcome and bond with their baby. I am looking forward to putting these ideas into practice with you all at our experiential weekend. :)
I learned a lot and enjoyed the videos this week. I feel as though my limited knowledge of the birthing process (I have no children of my own)has come from TLC specials, health class in middle school, and talking with people in my life who have given birth themselves. It wasn't until recently when I realized that it was possible in this day and age to have a birth outside of the hospital!
My sister was 19 when she had her first child. When my nephew was breached, the doctors used forceps on him. She ended up having an emergency C-section, because the forceps had caused my nephew to have a stroke. He ended up with brain damage and partial paralysis on the right side of his body. He was otherwise healthy and is now a thriving 17-year old, but with lasting effects and complications of his birth. As I learned more about what my sister went through during her birthing process, the more I was curious and started to question the modern techniques of childbirth.
I believe that we have the ability to use music as a means to empower, soothe, and bring people together as support in the birthing process. I thought it was so beautiful how the ancient people in the videos would lean on the support (very literally!) of loved ones around them. I imagine that in those times birth was celebrated and womanliness was viewed as powerful. I think we have a great opportunity as Music Therapists to embrace these ideas again and help our clients experience that kind of empowerment.
Not having had children, and only really knowing knowledge of child birth from my sisters and friends, I found the different options to be interesting. The word that came to mind for me in regards to this week's question was instinct.
A woman's body has a natural instinct to deliver a child, and while all of the technologies available in new age childbirth can be extremely useful, they can also limit our ability to use our instincts. My sister experienced a complicated birth in which immediate medical assistance was lifesaving, so I realize there is a place for having options available; but, it was also interesting to learn about how different medications can effect the labor process by either increasing pain or prolonging the delivery. In this age we are flooded with distractions -- text messages, emails, social media -- and we don't take the time to listen to our bodies. Often times, we are told to listen to our bodies when we work out too hard or eat food that doesn't sit well in our system , but rarely have I heard that same message in regards to childbirth. I found it incredibly interesting that bodies can communicate to a mother when it is time to push in delivery; but, I feel that often times the use of epidurals and medications can limit a woman's ability to receive that message.
I feel the use of music within childbirth can help eliminate those distracts that may cause stress, fear, or confusion and instead help women to tune in to their bodies' natural rhythms. With the use of relaxation techniques and rhythmic entrainment women can begin to focus inward and listen to the messages their bodies are communicating with them.
The video supplemental learning is a great way to honor the ancestral history of birth. The images of the statues and other visual representations of the ancient birthing mothers were new to me. These were really beautiful!
I love visual art; it really connects everything. I think sometimes music therapists limit themselves when they forget that the “music” part of MT is arts and humanities... and fundamentally important to society. We should be able to lean into our music expertise just as we lean into evidence-based-practices. We must value science and medicine, but let it not be at the expense of art. Art has clearly always been a part of birth. We can be the modern supporters/practitioners/attendees standing at the ready to hold safe spaces for birth. It’s good to know where you come from, so I am glad that this course starts with history. I enjoyed the history of MTACB as well.
I had already heard much of the information about the medicalization of normal birth, so my thoughts during that portion consisted of me noticing my reactions to the images I was seeing. One problem that is exacerbated by moving almost all births to the hospital is that it starts to create major disconnects between birth processes and general community. American society is definitely struggling with overly-sexualized female body images (can we agree that female breast and nipple can be both for pleasure and for nourishing a baby?). I felt in awe of the goddess art forms, but didn’t quite feel the same when seeing the medical draping of doctor attending the woman without showing her full body. I wanted to see a woman leading her birth, but instead she seemed more like an object. Television and movies often portray birth as an emergency for the sake of drama, but tend to shy away from normal birth and from those powerful goddess-like images that I have seen (via video of natural birth). They even have to blur genitals, which is really just crazy… Why do this? It seems we only censor women’s bodies for all the wrong reasons. This is a whole different topic, but it does bring me right back to those classic images of the birthing woman and her supporters.
I will be looking to recreate that support scene through a positive musical space. In my hospice internship, I often thought about music as a container. I think that may apply here. That container will hold all the participants (mom, baby, birth support professionals) in the safest possible place. What we have seen on tv and in movies will not matter once everyone is present and focused with the support of the music.
"We must value science and medicine, but let it not be at the expense of art. Art has clearly always been a part of birth." I love this statement. I think we forget that evidence based medicine does not just mean that which has been published in a medical journal. Evidence based medicine includes patient values AND clinical expertise. There is thousands of years of birthing evidence prior to published medical research and much of it has been recorded through art.
We as modern women can learn so much from the natural birth process that women experienced for thousands of years. We should look to the time before medicine to see that our bodies are capable of birthing. I love the ferocity of the goddess statues! Women's bodies are truly incredible.
We should also be thankful that we live in an age where we can get help when medically necessary. However I think that should be emphasized more- WHEN medically necessary. Many women are capable of having healthy labors and births without medical intervention. But thank goodness medicine is there when we need it!
Music has the power to support women, partners, caregivers, and baby thought the birth process. Music is such a flexible medium that it can be used for whatever will help mom at the time, be it relaxation, energy, or creating a sacred bonding space after birth. Music could also assist mom with anxiety/pain perception if a medical procedure becomes necessary.
If anyone wants to hear more about the many different ways birth can happen I would HIGHLY recommend a podcast called "The Birth Hour". Each episode is just a different woman telling her birth story. I listened to at least a hundred while I was pregnant! There's also a wonderful Birth Hour Instagram that has photos and videos of what birth really looks like to clear all those bogus TV images from your head.
Yes use our inner birth goddess, power and strength to give birth naturally and music can so support this process. Medical intervention when necessary for health of mother or baby. Thanks for sharing about The Birth Hour podcast and instagram. :) MD
I have not experienced birth, and will say that I have had a skewed view on what birthing could be. As is often depicted in movies and other media, I assumed the most healthy way to birth was as I had seen via those mediums, and since medicine is ever evolving, I thought it was the most 'scientific' way to birth. That being said, I have experienced pain, and have learned to trust my body to what would most naturally alleviate my symptoms. The 'timeless way' seems so intuitive to me and makes complete sense in terms of posture, pain relief, and support. I have also often wondered why we need so much medicinal support during birth, since nature has always reproduced this way successfully. The concept of a woman being strong and fierce, instead of weak and helpless, is an incredibly appealing way of viewing birth, and empowers a mother to have a different prospective on the birthing process.
Music is intuitive to our body, our brain, and our emotions and is a natural, non-intrusive contributor to support breath control, pain, and bonding. Music has the ability to help us focus on the present, be in the moment, and use our bodies instincts to guide a natural and healthy birth. With the evidence-based practice of music and the brain, of music and the cardiovascular system, and music and mental health, emotional behavioral, and emotional support systems, it is an obvious aid in the cause of a healthy, natural birth. Music is a positive contributor that has the ability to comfort, give strength, pace, and relieve aspects of the birth and make a natural experience, often done in a sterile environment, a spiritually bonding experience for which the parents can be active contributors and hold precious their whole lives.
Yes woman are strong, amazingly strong. We can use music to support them and help them find their inner strength even during the toughest times in labor. it is so incredibly powerful. And the music therapist's presence is equally as powerful and important.
One thing that struck out to me immediately while watching the videos and reading the information, but specifically all the videos, is that women are NEVER alone while giving birth. There were always different positons and techniques, and different cultures; but the women always had somebody with them to give birth.
This was so important in my mind because as a woman who has never given birth, the idea terrifies me and excites me at the same time. It terrifies me because I'm the type of person who would stress out during labor (which was then fun to read in chapter 12 that stress makes labor MORE painful). So knowing that women have never been alone during this stressful yet exciting time was comforting and beautiful to learn; that someone literally has the back of an expecting mother.
Music is a powerful tool that we tend to take for granted. It can support women and their partners and provide them a sense of comfort and control. Music is so undeniably a part of who we are, in no matter which way, so if music can be an integral part of such an crucial moment in a woman's life, why should not be utilized that way too?
Absolutely! Using music to support the partner is also so important because it helps the partner to support the birth mother and the baby. Every mother should have the chance at this experience if she desires it.
Yes, I also liked this emphasis on how mothers traditionally had support during labor and birth. Knowing that there is someone to lean on, literally and metaphorically, does relieve anxiety and stress. And like you said, music can play such a powerful role in this--supporting both the mother and the partner.
Having recently had two children, I found much of the reading and most of the video material to be a welcome review of my childbirth preparation. As a pregnant mother, I was determined to to honor the sacred experience of giving birth and continue to be troubled and concerned about the "westernization" of birth.
The narrator of the videos made a statement in one of the earlier videos (the European images video I believe) that made a huge impact on me as a mother AND as a music therapist. She said, "they came together in celebration". I distinctly remember after the birth of my son, who was born by medically unnecessary and coerced cesarean, that there was no celebration around his birth. I was wheeled into recovery and I sent my husband with the baby. I was alone, scared, angry, and sad. I often wonder how music may have changed my experience.
Just as women have been giving birth for thousands of years using age old practices that are rooted in evidence based care, music has been used to compliment, celebrate, commemorate, and honor life's most important events. Human beings from all cultures use music to celebrate life that is given and life that is taken away.... weddings, holidays, birthdays, funerals, graduations, social gatherings, etc.
There are many ways that I believe that music can support the traditional ways of birthing. I am specifically interested in exploring the ways that music can be used to protect the sacred integrity of the birthing space, provide comfort, support, and pain management opportunities for the birthing mother, and provide a universal approach to the CELEBRATION of life.
Yes, yes, yes that is what MTACB is all about! I am so sorry that the birth of your son was not what you had planned and that you were left alone to process those feelings. It is possible to heal from the experience with the help of a music therapist. It is also through trainings like this that we can educate others and expand critical services for all birthing women and their babies.
I was really fascinated by these videos. To be perfectly honest, the notion of childbirth absolutely terrifies me but I was surprised to find that I was so intrigued with child birthing practices. It is comforting to know that women since the beginning of time have gone through a process that I will one day go through and across cultures much of their techniques are the same.
I love the level of support that all women seem to get in giving childbirth. The idea of having so many around you supporting you and cheering you on is definitely something that comforts me. I was also very interested to find out that women are reverting back to many of the more ancient birthing rituals, though now mostly supervised by a health care professional. I know a lot of women who have chosen to do water births or births at home rather than at a hospital.
Music seems like a natural companion to this process, assisting women along as another support partner that can make bringing a child into the world easier.
Birth is beautiful and should be celebrated. It a laboring woman is well supported and not interrupted in her care most births occur naturally wihtout complications. It is fortunate that we have modern medical care to save moms and babies in emergencies, but it is important to remember that not every birth is an emergency nor does it require emergency level care.
Watching these videos and reading about labor in Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn brought me back to this time two years ago, when I was preparing to give birth. Then and now, I found it so empowering to learn about labor and birth, and the strength that women have always shown in these processes. It is exciting to consider the role that music can play in birth. Simkin et al talk about the importance of relaxation, rhythm, and ritual in managing the pain and anxiety of labor. Music can support all three of these “Rs,” helping mothers cope with labor. Further, as the videos show, birth has traditionally been associated with community and celebration. Music also has a long history in community celebrations and rituals, making it a natural fit in the childbirth process.
During my pregnancy, I read Ina Mae Gaskin’s Guide to Childbirth, took a natural childbirth course, and tried to prepare as much as possible for a drug-free birth in the baby-friendly hospital I had chosen. However, after an unmedicated labor and many hours of pushing, it became clear that my baby’s head was really tightly stuck in my pelvis. I had a great OB and L&D nurse who tried to facilitate a vaginal birth by attempting manual rotation of the baby’s head and helping me to push in several different positions. Ultimately, though, nothing worked and I ended up having a c-section.
Music seems to fit naturally in a traditional childbirth, but I imagine that it would also be super helpful in situations where medical intervention is necessary. My son had trouble breathing at birth, and I have such a strong memory of how quiet the OR was as we waited for him to breathe and cry (the longest 10 minutes of my life!). Having some music in the room to hold us during those scary moments would have been so helpful. Knowing that we were both being held and supported by the music would have made it easier to be separated from my son while the doctors worked on him.
I am interested in exploring how music can help mothers and babies cope with difficult birth experiences. I am also curious about how childbirth professionals can help women prepare for the possibility of complications or interventions without instilling fear.
As I mentioned above, I was very focused on natural labor and delivery prior to giving birth. I avoided reading about potential complications, and don’t remember my healthcare providers or childbirth educators discussing them with me either. (I didn’t have a doula or music therapist, so they may do things differently!) Because of my approach to learning about birth, I was not at all prepared for a c-section, and it took me a while to come to terms with it emotionally. I do think that it is important to normalize the birth process and remove the fear surrounding it by helping women feel empowered and confident in their ability to give birth. I wonder how that can be balanced, though, with an understanding that sometimes complications can arise even if the mother is prepared and well supported.
I do still find the idea of natural birth very empowering and exciting—and I hope to give it another try some day! I am looking forward to learning about how music can support all kinds of childbirth experiences.
Hi Everyone,
ReplyDeleteI have been truly convicted and engaged with this week's readings and videos. I have many friends and family who have given birth over the past year and each birth has been significantly different. All of the babies are alive and well, but all of them different. Some babies are breast fed and some bottle fed. Some born natural and some via cesarean. Each experience has been different, but the one likeness in each of them is the modern ideas of birth were present. Including inductions by choice, inductions due to multiples, inductions due to hypertension, all hospital births, delivered on their back, epidurals and/or other pain killers. All include either signifiant pain and/or fear. I have been terrified as a consumer of this knowledge over the past year and vowed a year ago to learn the most I could about choices and to gain a familiarity with the process, the natural process of birth.
In response to the question posed this week I feel we can learn a significant amount from our ancestors regarding the birthing process. The 4 main points I have gathered are: 1) birthing in an upright posture, 2) supporting women/men present at the birth, 3) support for the birthing mother that she is brave and strong, and 4) that a birth is meant to be a social event rather than a medical one. Starting from the top, our ancestors for years and years gave birth in an upright position either standing, squatting, or kneeling. This makes sense with the laws of physics as this position would allow for the aid of gravity. Secondly, the presence of the mother, helper, and receiver in a birth. I feel this is important as their are 2 people involved in birth, the mother and the baby. In my mind the helper is present for the mother and the receiver for the baby. All those present are of course attentive to both the mother and the baby, but the presence of 2 others does cover both parties (mother and baby). Thirdly, the mother is respected as a strong and capable entity. I feel this may be the most important point we can learn from our ancestors. Women are made to carry a child and give birth to a child. With that, I feel this may be the most paramount point to remember in our engagement with mothers. Lastly, the idea that in the past this has been a cause for celebration and not fear. The modern idea of birth is surrounded by fear and medicine and I think it is obvious with the rate of death during birth and cesarean deliveries in the US that a medical perspective of this life event may not be the most beneficial for our society.
To begin to describe the benefits of music during this life, I feel it is important to recognize that music is one of our most primitive characteristics as is birth. Thus, it is obvious that when used together these two primitive characteristics would work well. Initially I see music as most beneficial in the areas of stress reduction, preparation, and bonding. I see music as being a vital element in preparation for birth and an element that would easily and efficiently cross the pre and postnatal periods. I also see music as being a source of empowerment for the mother and partner as they prepare for the birth and for welcoming a new member to their family. I can also see music as being vital for focus and stress reduction, as well as, pain management during the birthing process. Lastly, I recognize that music could be extremely beneficial at the point of bonding between the mother, baby, and spouse/partner.
I have truly enjoyed reading and listening to the material for this week. I look forward to other's posts and engaging with you during this process.
Happy Harmonies,
Kristin
Yes Kristin you are right on target with your comments. Music does help in birth preparation and stress reduction during pregnancy. And it is amazing during the labor and birth on so many levels. And the music can have a very significant effect on the bonding of the family unit during pregnancy and after birth. We will learn how we can use music to support upright positions, support the birth partners, evoke sociological support, and to empower women in the birthing process. :)
ReplyDeleteAmazing how images from ancient times depict the power women possess when giving birth. The images shared from the video, “Timeless Way, “depict women as innate and strong to give birth. Additionally, having a helper and receiver present shows the support provided and needed for the mother and baby. Despite the pain involved, the overall process sounds like an amiable and joyous moment rather than a medical process, which began uprooting in the 1600’s. Unfortunately, some too many women from the 1600’s to 1960’s had minimal input in their birthing process. How dehumanizing it could have been to be viewed as an object, unconscious and alone for a pivotal moment in a woman’s life. If one thing our traditional ancestors have taught us, and have thankfully been revived, is that the upright position is beneficial and natural as fewer complications are experienced. The traditional way of giving birth allows women to be in control, supported, fulfilling and experience emotions as needed.
ReplyDeleteFurthermore, many childbirth classes have been created. The two main approaches are APSO/Lamaze and The Bradley Method. To sum up each techniques, the APSO/Lamaze method include breathing exercises which focuses on relieving pain by reducing her perception of pain. On the other hand, The Bradley Method teaches women to trust their bodies to allow the natural process of labor to occur. With that said, I believe that music can be incorporated in both ways- distraction or supportive. The way music is used can be based on the mother’s preference, just like the type of child birthing class she selects. Superficially, music can be a distraction to the environment. But how sufficient is that method? The distraction technique may limit the capabilities music possesses.
Personally, I view music as an extra person throughout the labor and birthing process, similarly like the helper and receiver. A woman not only develops a relationship with her doctor or, possibly, midwife, but also is given the opportunity to embody music as needed. Embodying the music can allow her to be in control during labor and birthing as she is able to experience various emotions consciously rather than disassociating or simply going through the motions of delivering a baby. Music can allow women to feel as if she is part of her treatment/birthing plan. Additionally, similarly to The Bradley Method, music provides an opportunity for natural birthing to happen as music possesses many elements, such as dynamic, tempo, lyrics, genre, mood, and instrumentation, to aide in the process. Music can be manipulated to support what is happening in the moment as each birthing experience is different. I can also imagine how singing can be beneficial as singing allows us to breathe from our stomach or even as low as our uterus. Figuratively and literally, the mother’s voice is heard and supported through her own breath and sound. Music becomes the support needed for the mother to “let go” as she needs to push, breathe, and focus. Even after delivery, music can be a subtle agent to aide with the bonding between each parent respectively and as a family, especially since many hospitals are now encouraging the Kangaroo care immediately after birth.
There is a lot to be said in how our ancestors have given birth. How remarkable it is to seamlessly incorporate music with the traditional birthing experience.
Yes the music is your co-therapist when you support your client in MTACB. :)
DeleteI had forgotten I had this thought when reading about Lamaze versus the Bradley method. Distracting a woman from what is happening in her body doesn't sound as productive to me as creating something else for her to focus on through that experience.
DeleteAngel,
ReplyDeleteI too was taken back by learning of the dehumanizing process birth became when medical interventions were instituted. It is a terrifying image and I feel for the women in my life that gave birth during that time. I was blown away with how much changed when medical interventions took over. The movie clip that they showed in the Timeless Way videos from the american medical association was utterly disturbing. The beauty was taken out of the process. I also like the way you express music as an extra person during the process that the woman can embody.
I enjoyed reading your post!
Kristin
I couldn't have said it any better and totally agree!
DeleteI wish my grandmothers were still alive so that I could ask them about their birth experiences from the 40s. Do they wish it was a different experience? Do they know it could have been a different experience?
It's sad to think how the generations before us were born and how their mothers gave birth. Such a lack of compassion. Though I can see the doctors of the time thought they were "saving women from the pain of childbirth". Even some doctors today seem quick to offer pain management.
I liked the "music as an extra person" also. It brought the image to mind of music being the person behind the mother giving birth as depicted in some of the early images of birthing. Holding and comforting.
Yes with the music you help create a safe space and emotional container for the birth experience. When mothers are allowed to birth uninterrupted and they feel safe and secure the process unfolds much more easily and organically. We can use music to help them feel safe and trust in their bodies and the process. :)
DeleteI think back and realize how little I had prepared myself for the births of my sons. I believe I went about it, as many women tend to do, with a "doctor knows best" frame of mind. Both were born via cesarean and due to their sizes I don't know if I could have delivered them vaginally. After going through this week's materials, I think about what I could have done differently in the process (especially my first birth when I did labor). It makes me eager to learn more in order to help other women achieve the birth that they desire.
ReplyDeleteFrom our ancestors, we can learn (and get back to the idea) that giving birth is a natural process. Since the introduction of doctors, giving birth seems to have become a dramatic medical procedure. Along the way, women lost their voice about decisions regarding labor and delivery. The sense of support and power was lost. I believe this was an important part of the birthing process for our ancestors as the images of them giving birth depict that of strong women surrounded in support. There has been progress over the past 50 years, but the medical process still seems to win over the natural process. We can also learn from our ancestors that gravity is extremely helpful during labor and birth. Our ancestors gave birth in upright positions whereas common practice is to give birth lying down. Though medical intervention has become an important part of the process (resulting in fewer deaths of mothers and babies than in the past), I feel it has also become an inhibitor to the natural process of birth with which every woman is innately born.
Music is as inherent to us as is the birth process. Music has been documented to lower blood pressure, heart rate, and anxiety as well as assist in pain control. Its use can be beneficial during pregnancy and birth where these are also common issues. Pregnancy itself (even a well planned one) can bring about a feeling of loss of control. Being a part of the music selection process can provide a sense of control and empowerment knowing that you are doing something important for your baby and for yourself. It is also a vital part to making a connection to and using the music as a support during labor. Music can be used to encourage the bonding process during pregnancy and continuing postpartum. Not only for typical pregnancies, but I think of cases such as high risk pregnancies, prior miscarriages, and pregnancy after infertility where this could be of particular importance. Pregnancy and birth (as well as parenting) can also be full of stressors and fears. Here music can help promote relaxation. Given the natural process of both music and birth, it's exciting to see how they can work in conjunction with one another for the benefit of the mother, her partner and baby.
Brenda thanks for making this statement "Being a part of the music selection process can provide a sense of control and empowerment knowing that you are doing something important for your baby and for yourself. " This is so important. :)
DeleteI appreciate this reply as well. This isn't something I've consciously thought but it is a very important part of the process we can offer clients who feel completely out of control of their circumstances during birth. Although it's not good to be completely IN control during birth (as we've read trying to be in control can impede the process of birth), the preparation of music prior to the birth offers individuals a tangible plan they can decide upon. This relates to polls that have shown women have higher levels of satisfaction with their birth when they are allowed to be an integral part of the decision making process.
DeleteI did the same thing as far as looking back and realizing how little prepared I was with my birth experiences. I think that is the biggest factor we can play. I was not as prepared as I should have been, yet I realized how much I did right instinctively! There were other things I didn't know enough about to say yes or no to or even realize I COULD say no! When you are pregnant, you have pretty much lost all control of your body, as if you really ever had any to begin with. Giving a woman power over the environment that surrounds her during labor (i.e., music, birth choices) is the best form of knowledge she will need.
Deletein reflecting on the information covered this week the things that struck me as most significant that we can learn from our ancestors is the importance of the mother feeling empowered and supported (physically and mentally) in what ever way most resonates with her durning the birthing process and birthing while in an upright position or a position that feels most natural to her. Music can support these process in many ways. It can provide a "container" and safe space for the mother and those who are supporting her. It can serve as a point of focus or a distraction depending upon the need at the time. It can provide comfort, a sense of familiarity and "home" if it is familiar music. It can motivate and keep a tired mother in the moment. It can have physiological impact on the mother and as a result, the baby. It can be used as a bonding it anchoring element for the mother and those attending to her as well as between the mother and the baby. It can be a powerful tool in supporting a mother through the birth process.
ReplyDeleteThe music does feel like "home" if it is familiar and comforting. Feeling safe and supported are essential elements of the natural birthing process.
Delete“Women risk their lives in child birth”. This comment from one of the videos went deep into my heart, and that is so true. Not only mothers of human beings risk their lives in child birth, but also mothers of the animal kingdom, many of them even scarify their lives after giving birth. Like spiders, a mother spider will let her babies dissolve her from inside out, so that her babies can feast on her nutritious body for survival. Even though pregnancy and the delivery process include a lot of pain, fear, life risking or the worst - death, birth giving is still going on. With that said, in my own opinion, pregnancy and birth giving do not only representing how strong and powerful mothers are, but also BRAVENESS to carry babies and maintaining lives, and this should be highly acknowledged and respected by everyone. Applauses to all the mothers here!
ReplyDeleteFrom our ancestors, they reaffirmed us that giving birth is a natural process. Although medical advancement from nowadays provided many pain management and birthing options for mothers; how a mother position herself and how to include helpers and families to support her during the birthing process are very important as well. The classic birthing post (upright position either sitting, standing kneeling or squatting) is still used by many mothers who delivery their babies vaginally today. It makes use of gravity to help with the process, causes fewer complications, and let the mother feels more in control during the birthing experience. Like I said in my first paragraph, giving birth is life risking; even with the advanced medical intervention, the strongest and the bravest mothers (regardless if they are first-timers or experienced mothers), might still have stress and fear. Having the sense of being supported and empowerment facilitate the process and will make it a more fulfilling and positive experience.
Music serves as one of the members of the supporting team when the mother chooses music to be her nonpharmacological interventions. Music is beneficial in supporting breathing, remaining calm, focus, in discomfort management and to enhance family bonding with the baby. Besides the sense of control and empowerment, being involved in the music selection or creation (i.e. womb song) allows the mother to feel more connected with the baby, that they are supporting communicating and working with each other (the baby is also part of your delivery process). I believe that can help with stress relief and lessen the fear of the birthing process.
I like your point about the baby being part of the delivery process, and how a womb song can help a mother feel this way as she feels more connected to her baby. Thanks!
DeleteYes we can offer music throughout labor to help Mom and baby stay connected and feeling safe during the labor process. :) MD
DeleteI, too, love the mention that the baby is a part of the process and that music (especially familiar music or voices) can help relieve some of the trauma that is being birthed.
DeleteYes creating a womb song is a great way to connect with and communicate with the baby in utero, and also begin a foundation for the relationship outside the womb. :)
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteFrom the readings and videos this week I have been thinking a lot of the importance of empowerment for women during the birth experience. Since birth has become more of a medical event I feel women many times are treated as patients in the hospital instead of being treated as someone going through a natural process that often does not need tending to by medical interventions. Having recently gone through labor and deliver I can comment on my personal experience of feeling incredibly vulnerable. I feel that without my support team I would have been much less able to make choices through my labor and delivery and fear I would have felt taken advantage of even though the medical staff had my best interests in mind. It is so important that women and their partners have knowledge about what birth can look like so they feel empowered to be active participants in the birth process. I believe that every birth can and should be a positive and empowering experience.
Music can be a source of empowerment and support for women during labor. I feel that as a music therapist it will be my responsibility to provide women and families with many opportunities to make choices and support them as they go through this transformative experience. In addition, having music playing during labor can create an environment in which a woman is able to focus inwardly on her labor experience and may allow her to better handle the discomfort and intense sensations she is experiencing. Music can also provide women and their partners opportunities to bond before, during, and after labor as they choose and write music for their experience and for their baby.
Yes music empowers Moms and Dads too! :) MD
DeleteTraditional ways of birthing (including upright posture, social support of partner and other women, and empowerment of the mother) seems to be a seamless extension of a mothers natural life. Listening to your body, feeling safe to follow your instinct even when something is unfamiliar or unknown to you, feeling like you have the power to use your voice, turning to loved ones for care and support, and surrounding yourself with supportive women to encourage and empower your own unique strength and bravery. Isn't that motherhood in a nutshell and the skills that it takes to care for a newborn? I feel like a birthing environment that creates this extension to "natural life" would be a catalyst to empower a women into motherhood. What an incredible start to life as a family with a new baby. The medical approach seems to leave a mother feeling helpless, out of control, and scared. What a difficult transition to walk out of the door with a newborn.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts go toward first mothers who have made an adoption plan for their baby. Mothers who are walking out the door WITHOUT a newborn. I can't imagine. Loving your child enough to know you want something more for them. Something you can't give them. It just breaks my heart thinking that some of these women must also face a delivery involving fear and elements where they feel out of control and scared. If their decision of adoption isn't enough to be struggling with.
I think adoption agencies would benefit greatly from providing and offering MTACB. What an incredible tool of empowerment to offer women choosing the best for their child. In most cases their partner is not in the picture (and a huge factor to their adoption decision), and family members can often be unsupportive and refuse to be apart of her birthing experience. Although music paired with support is the most preferred option, what about mothers who do not have any social support? I think music (and a music therapist) would be an extremely powerful tool to fill in the gap for limited family support, offer a means of empowerment, and cultivate a language that is communicating that she is brave, strong, and capable.
What an incredible tool to provide these first mama's with an opportunity to write a song to their babies, saying hello and goodbye, and processing the birth and decision once they are home. I think that would be amazing.
I agree that it would definitely benefit women who are giving their babies to adoption because beyond the birth of the baby there is an additional grief process. Utilizing music would be a wonderful way to help say hello/goodbye and to help process all of the feelings that arise prior to and after the delivery.
DeleteAs someone who HAS had to walk out of the hospital without their child, (36 week stillbirth), I felt like I did not have choices when it came to my care. It was assumed that I wanted the event over as quickly as possible and home as quickly as possible. I left the hospital 12 hours after giving birth. In hindsight, I wish I would have had a doula or someone to help us through the experience of induction, shock, and saying hello/goodbye to our child in such a trying time. To say the least, it was traumatic. I'm sorry to bring up such a personal story, but I really did feel like most decisions were being made for me, and I was completely out of control.
DeleteMary - I'm so sorry for the loss of your baby as well as your experience. No parent should feel rushed through that process especially given the added emotions that a stillbirth brings. I think that's another area where MTACB can be of assistance - saying goodbye and dealing with the grief process through music.
DeleteMary I too am so sorry for the loss of your child. Yes a music therapist or a doula can be a great support and comfort during this time. I am sorry that you were rushed through the process and that you felt you had no control. Please send me a personal message if you have any questions you would like to ask privately.
DeleteMary, I am sorry to hear about the loss of your baby. Thank you for having the courage to share a personal information with this group. I think the medical field needs to examine more on how psycho-social needs are provided for families. Many times people have spoken how they do not feel like there are options available for them, or feel rushed out of the hospital. Unfortunately, the medical field has built up to the idea of just managing symptoms or addressing the physical pain. Now, slowly, the psycho-social needs are being addressed in some parts of the hospital. Providing support within the labor & delivery room is just as important as other parts of the hospital.
DeleteAnd Erin, I like your idea of incorporating music therapists in adoption agencies. How powerful music can have on allowing a parent or parents to bond with their new child (and vice versa).
When it comes to ancient wisdom and knowledge about birthing, I feel that if women listen to their bodies they can overcome a lot of the medical needs surrounding birth. Like others have stated, positioning, support and encouragement, and empowerment are all important. I think the empowerment piece may be the most overlooked in current modern society. In my own birth experience, my medical team assumed I didn't want to feel any pain and automatically offered me every pain medicine available as soon as I could have it. I didn't know any better. I think those sort of situations rob women of the experience of birth. Music can definitely contribute to empowerment with the couple choosing significant and powerful music that relates to them and their journey. Familiar music and songs can evoke strong emotions and feelings that could help a woman relax or help a woman rally when she thinks she doesn't have the strength to continue. Just as my husband and I still listen to the song lists from our wedding (that we carefully picked ourselves), I can see a birth playlist being used throughout a child's life. Carefully picked and chosen by grateful parents.
ReplyDeleteYes the music is so important and becomes part of the life story.
DeleteI love the idea of music incorporated into life stories. How powerful. Mary, what an lovely idea to incorporate wedding songs for couples.
DeleteInteresting point that the medical team assumed you didn't want to feel any pain and automatically offered you every pain medicine. I can't help but think they did the same thing with your emotional process and grief after the birth. It's easier to move right past and not look at and into the pain that is exposed in ourselves and those around us during loss. How powerful to have a team of professional that would have supported you as you walk through pain- both pysically and emotionally. I feel so passionate in educating others to provide and create this environment for mothers in labor.
I've been enjoying the readings as I prepare for my own natural (or responsible) birth. Many of the warnings regarding conventional birthing pressures I read about were simply confirmations from other sources I've been reading about. It makes a lot of sense to me to treat the female pregnant body the way it was created to birth, utilizing the wisdom of the body's natural oxytocin and other necessary hormones rather than supplying the body with artificial ones that usually make birthing more painstaking and long. Since women have been giving birth for centuries without all the technology that we think is helping make birth more effective, I think there is a lot we can learn from our ancestors about how to ensure a safe, effective, and joyful delivery. Experienced midwives and doulas have a wealth of knowledge for making natural birth happen that, when paired with the support of a supportive obstetrician as a back-up, it seems the best options are being offered a family. Music only complements the process of supporting families through labor and delivery.
ReplyDeleteSome things that have been highlighted to me: 1) the importance of positive language when a woman is laboring, 2) the usefulness of movement throughout labor in order to move the baby into the best position when it comes time for delivery, 3) encouraging parents to take responsibility for educating themselves on the alternatives in birth, and 4) making the most of all the support people you choose to invite into your labor.
1) Positive affirmation when working with clients is always a necessity! How much more will this be needed during the challenges of labor. Encouraging words in music or simply having a list of possible positive spoken affirmations would be a worthwhile addition to the birthing process.
2) Television and movies have portrayed women in a horizontal position, and as very fragile when going through labor and delivery. This portrayal naturally excludes the need women have to move during labor. It makes sense to listen to your body when you're uncomfortable and make a different positional choice. This may be a good place to bring up body mapping and the Alexander technique-if you're hurting in your body, change your position and keep observing! Listening to and making music are some of the best motivators for movement that I can think of. Get the right music going and I'm going to dance! (Not sure how much I'll actually dance during my own labor...we'll see!)
3) Education about one's options and having an equal voice in the decision making is so critical to making a birth satisfactory experience (as research has shown). If indicated with a client, a humorous song about all the options could be written in the process of being educated with the clients about birth.
4) When a person invites a music therapist into their labor experience, it is an honor and a sacred trust. This should be approached with much care and sensitivity. It's important to know how much the family wants your involvement in the process and to know when to defer to others on the support team or take a step back.
Music provides one of the most comforting, compelling, encouraging, thought-provoking modalities that I know of. How wonderful to have the opportunity to offer familiar music to soothe/calm, driving music to pump up, and newly written music (for clients) to have remembrance of this special occasion.
Anna, I think your observation about how women in birth are portrayed in the media is a powerful one. Time and time again we see women on TV and in the movies as fragile and struggling during their labor, screaming out of control while they are surrounded by medical professionals. Thinking about the impact this has on a large scale towards the expectations women have when entering on this journey I feel we have a responsibility to help women and their partners educate themselves so they can feel confident in having a voice and opinion about their experience!
DeleteYes it is an honor and a sacred trust. It is an incredibly private and special time that we are invited to share in. It must always be remembered that we are there to support the family in the most non-directive way possible to help them achieve empowerment and bonding in their own unique way.
ReplyDeleteWhat can we learn from our ancestors? For one, Birth is a natural process. It happens no matter what we do to try to stop it or delay it or "make it better". Birth is a natural process and our bodies know what to do...It is our minds that get in our own way. Our ancestors had it right when they held birth as a celebration with the birthing mother as the center of the focus. Yes, complications can happen, that is a part of nature. But the more we try to control complications with interventions, we can more often cause even more complications. Music can support this by empowering the mother. Choosing a playlist is a great way of giving the mother power over her environment. Writing a womb song/birth song is a way of bonding with her baby by the soothing sound of her voice, but also by the chemical changes in her body as she sings it to her child. I still tear up thinking of "You are my sunshine" because that is the song my daughter most associates with her childhood...I know I sang it to her every night after she was born and most nights before she was born. Music can be that auditory focal point to help her relax and stay on top of the contractions before they get to be too much to take. Music can also be that stimulus to move her body (rocking, walking, swaying, dancing) even when she feels too exhausted to go on, which in turn helps with positioning of the baby and moves labor along.
ReplyDeleteIt's shocking to think that childbirth, which used to be such a natural and instinctive social event, has become quite regimented, especially in the United States. Friends who are from other countries have always expressed shock in how America views childbirth (and childcare and healthcare in general). I'm originally from Alabama where we do not have midwives and after seeing the progression of the development of childbirth, I can't help but be upset that midwives are not more accessible in our country!
ReplyDeleteWhat we can learn from our ancestors is how to have that sense of community once again. The video of the 1940s woman packing her suitcase to go to the hospital was comical and sad at the same time. Women have felt like birth has been a solo event for so long and I am thankful that things are beginning to change in healthcare. I feel like modern medicine has worked so hard to create structure and procedures for every type of medical event, which has taken away the ability to follow natural instinct. Our ancestors were able to survive and thrive with very little, and to add so many modern conveniences actually can take away from the natural process of life events. By allowing nature to take it's course, and by allowing our bodies to work in labor in a natural way, we can avoid so many other interventions that would quickly follow. Now, that doesn't mean complications can't happen. They can always happen, even if you follow every procedure correctly. That's part of nature! So we do need to be aware of complications and how to handle them if they happen.
Our ancestor used the sense of community and support to also create a comfortable environment during childbirth, and this is what music can be used to provide as well. Using familiar music and choosing the music with our clients/patients will give a sense of autonomy and control over the entire birthing experience. While pregnant, mothers can feel like they don't have control over things, and I've known plenty of friends who have felt like their doctors controlled their birth process. Providing music therapy gives them a sense of control and helps mentally prepare them for childbirth, and ensures a calmer, less chaotic environment. Because music is directly associated with our memories, it can create a beautiful memory for the parents and their newborn child.
Yes Anna well said. Music is very empowering and and help give women a sense of control. And fathers too. :) And yes it does create amazing and beautiful memories that will last a lifetime. It really heightens the experience, bonding and family connection.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love this video. It was used during my DONA international workshop training. It gives insight into what some Africans call, Sankofa; which means looking back at our pass in order to move wisely in our present and future. These artifacts left behind show us exactly how in tuned we as women were with nature. For all these different civilizations at different times in history from all over the world to have similar birthing positions is astonishing; it shows the interconnectedness of us all. It allows us to see the importance of birth taking place in a calm, tranquil, loving and peaceful environment with the support of those who have experience and unconditional love for us. The change in the birth process, shows me as a spiritual aspirant just how much humans as a collective have move further and further away from natural ways of doing things. Despite this detour, the Earth has shown its need for all things inhabiting it to rise in consciousness; and that is why we see more and more people becoming more awaken to how we really should proceed in our human evolution and are now applying it to their everyday lives. The video explains that a lot of the issues women are now facing are due to the unnatural perception of birth being a medical circumstance rather then a social and spiritual phenomenon. It teaches us that going with the natural flow of things has provent o be more successful then going against it. Naturally when we are in an upright position gravity pulls down on us, and if we are giving birth to a child our main priority is to bring baby down, and what better way to do so then to allow the energy of gravity to help us do so. When lying supine, gravity cannot assist us and therefore leaving out the spiritual energetic part of existence out of the birthing process. If we see things holistically we would conclude that doing this is not only unnatural but also potential detrimental to our growth and development as human beings. Since music is everywhere and in everything it in itself is natural and the voice of the unseen world. Music aiding in assistance during the birthing process helps change the vibration of the environment into one that is more conducive to a healthy and successful birth. We have a plethora of research that shows us how everything vibrates at a certain frequency and that those different frequencies results in different outcomes. In support of this research there have been studies showing how music is all vibration and that depending on the type of music being played can also determine the outcome of what the environment may be. With carefully selected music we could potentially alleviate unnecessary outcomes that may take place during the birth process.
ReplyDeleteYes I too find this video very powerful although it is painful to watch to see what women went through. It is important for us to know the history so we can educate women about what their choices are and possibilities for beautiful, peaceful birth. The upright posture is so important! :)
ReplyDeleteFrom this week's materials I have become aware of several main points related to the process of childbirth from the historical perspective. It is fascinating to me that certain characteristics in the process were consistent across many different eras and areas of the world. These included standard birthing positions including posture and multiple support persons that encouraged the mother's own strength and abilities. Being that we are here to learn more about using music therapy to support the mother (and subsequently the baby) it was uplifting to learn that the role of the supporter has been established long before our time. This also reinforces the need for effective support for the mother.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite lines from the informational video of the week was when the narrator pointed out that there was significant changes in the birthing positions used during the past century or so, although there has not been any change in women's bodily structure for many thousands of years. There is clearly an intuitive way in which women's bodies are created to function during childbirth and being aware and supportive of this natural preparedness is critical as we seek to empower the mother.
I see providing this support as the main role of music therapy in the childbirth process. Music is able to reduce stress not only through breathing techniques but also through learned relaxation responses to specific, preferred music. Similarly music therapy has proven to reduce pain perception as it provides alternate engagement for our brains. Music brings a sense of safety through familiarity in a potentially unfamiliar environment and experience. Such music can also provide a sense of control and further empowerment in the childbirth process. In general, I view music as a crucial tool in helping the mother on a psychological level, leading to additional physical support as well, throughout the various challenges that arise in the childbirth process.
Yes music in labor is very important for empowerment, pain management, safety and familiarity. The essential elements for all successful birth experiences are safety, calmness, and being unobserved. Music can provide a safe space or container for the birth experience. Endorphins are released when listening to music that decrease pain perception and make it seem as though contractions are shorter than they actually are. Music also evokes sociological support from loved ones and care givers that contribute to feelings of safety and calm while in labor.
ReplyDeleteI’ve got 3 points of most impression from our ancestors about traditional ways of birthing: posture; support; and birthing as a life experience.
ReplyDelete1. Posture. Women in delivering should trust our intuition as human being, try different posture letting us feel better and find out which postures are more functional. Lying on back is the change along with the development of medical technology when help birthing in difficulties, but not the natural posture.
2. Support. Expectant mother need support from her loved one, her partner, and from experienced woman, like her mum, doula, and other professional people. She’d need more both physical and psychological support, but not instruction. Encouragement should give her more empowerment. The warm, quiet, familiar enviorentent is also part of support.
3. Life Experience. Giving birth to a baby is a special physiological process, and a sacred psychologiclal process. It is a process partners expecting a new life their product. In the processing of delivery, the more women trust her body, be connected with her body tightly, the more she will have the feeling of self-controll, and will manage the pain better.Music is an empower media to help people related with themselves, help the expectant mother related tightly with her inner side, and empower her body.
Sorry for my English, hope you can understand my expression, haha...
I agree that we have learned of the importance of the expecting mother having several forms of support from people in various roles. Hopefully a music therapist is one of those supportive people as we can offer a supportive environment and relationship through music.
DeleteIt is so true the idea you have brought up that the entire labor process is incredibly significant for a woman (and her partner) in not only a physical but a psychological and emotional way. Being such an important event can create pressure surrounding it in that there can be many expectations. Hopefully music therapy is able to be a medium through which the more positive expectations are met!
Yes Ming Ming- you said it all and I totally agree. And your English is great! And Audrey you are right too- giving birth is a Bio-Psycho- Social process. Many aspects of our being is integrated through the process of giving birth. Music can be used to support the process more fully and deeply and aid in relaxation, self confidence and trust in the self.
DeleteYes Ming Ming- you said it all and I totally agree. And your English is great! And Audrey you are right too- giving birth is a Bio-Psycho- Social process. Many aspects of our being is integrated through the process of giving birth. Music can be used to support the process more fully and deeply and aid in relaxation, self confidence and trust in the self.
DeleteYes birth is sacred and a developmental process as a woman. We need to trust our intuition and work together with the baby through this process. Developing a strong bond and communication with baby in utero is an essential part of preparing for the birth process.
ReplyDeleteIt was amazing to watch these videos and to see how the birthing process changed so quickly in such a short period of time. In the earliest of artwork, such as the piece from Ancient Cyprus, the most common position was shown as the mother in an upright position with a helper and a receiver. In this “classic pose,” the mother is always depicted as being larger or stronger, showing the respect and reverence that was placed upon a mother and the birthing process. When the Lithotomy position began to be used, it increased complications during birth, which then increased the need for more medical measures to be used. When the medical “options” turned to “standards of treatment” around the 1950s and 1960s, the birthing process turned into a cold, calculated, and sterile process: sterile from emotions and support. Frankly, watching the clips from that period of time, where the mother was alone and often unconscious was completely terrifying and unnerving, a stark difference from the empowering, community-oriented scenes represented by the early birth images.
ReplyDeleteMoving forward, I believe there is so much we can learn from our ancestors about birthing methods; we can learn not only from the successes, but also from the mistakes. When women were forced to lie on their backs and venture through birth alone, many issues arose medically and emotionally. Conversely, when women were in upright positions and encouraged by their support system, healthy births were more common.
One way to support mothers through the labor and delivery process is through music. Music has been shown in many instances to empower individuals in various settings (including the labor and delivery setting) and is a great tool to add to a mother’s support system. The empowerment can come from many elements: by connecting fully to the music or from maintaining control by choosing what music to use and how to use it. For some mothers, it may be that “third person” in the classic pose and for others it may be just another piece adding to the entire experience. Music as also been shown to promote relaxation. This is important to both the mother and the others in the support team. Bringing life into the world is a fully exhausting journey and the mother will face times where she needs to be able to take calming breaths and prepare herself in a relaxing environment. Also, if the members of the support team are relaxed and confident, they will be able to more fully support the mother. The music helps achieve that state of relaxation because it acts as an anchor: when events occurring in the environment become distracting or hectic, the music stays constant and acts as a mental “focal point.” Finally, music is versatile and can help any woman achieve the birth experience she desires. Whether that experience is with no medical interventions or with many medical interventions, whether it is in a hospital, in a home, or another setting, whether everything goes according to plan or if unplanned circumstances arise, music has the ability to fit in with any birth plan to support women through their experiences.
Yes music can help a mother achieve the birth she desires!
DeleteI was struck by the readings and videos how different birth has become over the years. My grandmother has always told of how she was put in twilight sleep to give birth, while my cousin who had a baby a few months ago went to a birthing inn and had a midwife. Because of this I was already vaguely aware of the transition from the more sterile hospital setting to more holistic, natural care that is becoming more common. I had no idea the extent of it though nor had really grasped how far we had drifted from the practices of old.
ReplyDeleteI was struck with how birth through the ages has been a celebrated and highly depicted event. I had no idea the art and imagery associated with it and was amazed how it spanned across cultures and regions. I feel with that much similarity there is definitely cause for learning form our ancestors on the topic. I learned that by the 1930s birth was a sterile, medical procedure. It was treated like a surgery. And this was not how it was in the past. I learned the following timeless elements of the birth process, that span cultures and regions: 1) birth is a social time and there is traditionally a support system present, 2) women have been depicted as strong during the birth process, 3) upright and supported positions have been traditional, and
I feel like taking this new knowledge about birth and what I already knew about music I could see the similarities in the two and how they would aid so well. Music can be a social experience. Birth, historically, was social too. Music is a universal language and traditional birthing methods seem to be universal as well. Music is supportive, motivating, and calming, history has proven that women need the presence of people to do those same things. How much more can the effects of the human support system be multiplied by the addition of music? As the video pointed out, the idea of the empowered mother, is resurging. Music’s empowering nature can only be an asset to this.
The readings and videos pointed out how individual each birth is, how each circumstance is different and each mother’s preference is different. Music can be manipulated. All the different elements, dynamics, tempo, style, can all be tailored to specific situation moment by moment. The elements of melody and breathing also can be adjusted too.
I honestly viewed birth in the more sterile form until this reading. It has definitely broadened by views.
Excellent observations and I'm glad this course is expanding your view of birth. :)
ReplyDeleteWow! How times have changed. From the beautiful scenes of childbirth and the support from women and men, to the exclusion of men in the room, to scheduling your childbirth experience months before you are ready to give birth so your doctor can fit it in her schedule. We have come a long way and not so sure the path took a long detour and we are still trying to get to our roots.
ReplyDeletePosture: I never really thought of it even with my two births. The upright posture just makes sense. It is natural and logical. The support and positive feel of the women and the midwife and others present in the room feels like a community working together creating an accepting loving way to bring a child into the world. But also society has created the sense of negative body image and I wonder if this does not play into the freedom and the letting go of allowing others to be with you during this sacred time.
Support: Not only the support physically, during labor, but the emotional support the mother feels before the birthing process begins and during labor is different from modern methods of today. We have become sterile in all aspects. Emotionally and medically. Some for the good and but seems we have become accustom to the staleness of childbirth. We have forgotten the roots of where we came and how our ancestors embraced childbirth.
Childbirth brings up a wide variety of emotions, from joy, anxiety, pain, exhilaration, anticipation, scared, content and exhaustion just to name a few. Music also can bring emotions on all levels. Using music as a tool to assist in this process is natural. Since ancient times music has been used to elicit emotions and make us feel and think. Music as the old saying goes is universal. Music seems like an extra soul in the room there to support and guide in the beauty of birth. Music can be that familiar friend we need before childbirth, that strong friend we need during childbirth, and that relaxing and loving, nuturing friend we need after childbirth.
As each of us have unique personalities and needs, music is a way to match the woman's uniqueness and needs at any given moment.
This has been a great insight and reflection of where we were and where we are.
I loved some of the words you chose to explain birth in your second paragraph- sacred, natural, accepting...
DeletePersonally, I feel there has been a push from this generation of women to return to more "natural" ways of birth. These women are educated, they want to feel empowered, and they want to be in charge (get it ladies!) But, of course, there are many things that still need work. As clinicians, it is our job to honor their request, but at the same time know when we need to step back, and to know when their request might not be safe.
I think music lends itself well to birth for many of the reasons you stated. I took GIM a few years back and the saying was always "Trust the music" and I find the playlist and programs in MTACB require a similar level of trust from the music therapist.
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ReplyDeleteYes Corinne and Karla- the music is your co-therapist in the experience. It is the container and holds the space for the sacred birth experience. It informs anyone entering the birthing area nonverbally that this mother and baby are being protected and cared for during this experience. Staff amd care givers respond and treat the laboring mother differently in the music therapy environment. The music serves so many functions as you will learn about in the second week of this course. We need to empower women and their support team through this process and music allows this to happen naturally and in a beautiful way. Because the music is non-verbal during the active and transition phases of labor it can be used to communicate and support so effectively when words cannot.
ReplyDeleteThese videos were very familiar to me since about a year ago I was knee-deep in researching and making my own birth plan. As a person who typically leans towards a natural and holistic lifestyle I knew that I did not want to be in a supine position during birth. I imagined myself surrounded by my partner, mother, and good friend as I brought my child into this world without the use of drugs. I so badly wanted the "timeless way" described in these videos, however it did not go as such. After weeks of false labor, my water broke 5 days after my due date. At the hospital my contractions were not effective and about 8 or 9 hours later I was put on pitocin to increase their effectiveness. At that point, I was no longer allowed to move freely around the room because they needeed to monitor the baby. Eight more hours passed and the pitocin only gained us about .5-1 cm for a total of 2.5-3 cm. If anyone else has experienced pitocin-it's no joke. The contractions felt monumental, however were not as effective as they had hoped. Without progress and evidence that Sage was not responding well every time the pitocin was delivered, my midwife said to "do the cesarean now before it becomes an emergency cesarean".
ReplyDeleteNeedless to say, my birthplan and expectations went out the window completely. Because the cesarean was not an emergency I was allowed to stay awake during the C-section, my partner was geared up in surgical gear, and he got to hold Sage right after the OB took him out. I was able to hold and nurse him very shortly after. Despite having a wonderfully healthy baby, I sometimes feel like I didn't give birth. I missed out on those empowering parts and skipped right to a painful C-section recovery.
I think that in a modern age it is great to have the "timeless way" be the standard, but I also think there is importance in not putting all the power and female goddess into that image of the mother-warrior pushing because a lot of women don't have that. I think I could have (and honestly, still could) taken more credit for my power and an excellent way to do so would have been through song.
Interestingly enough, my OB surgeon did take it upon himself to let me pick my Spotify station and fate had its way of playing a winner for Sage's arrival, but how great would it have been to have my own playlist! I truly believe there is a song for every occasion, and if there's not a music therapist has the ability to make one. Since music is so innately personal, the mother and her support system could use music to contour their experience and help cope when things don't go as planned.
I also drew some strong connections between the video's description of a good midwife to characteristics of good therapists.
DeleteNIcoletta thank you for sharing your story. I am glad that your baby arrived safely but am sorry that things did not go as you had planned. I understand about the pitocin as I too have experienced it. It feels very different than regular contractions- like 100 times more painful. Research has shown that with careful preparation, music, and support during the birth process by a music therapist that even when the birth does not go as planned it can still be a positive and empowering experience for the birth mother. I encourage you to think about your strength and your power as you reflect on how you labored. Even though the entry of your son to the world was not what you planned you were an amazing mother goddess laboring on pitocin for 8+ hours which requires super human strength. You should also feel empowered about your desires to bring your son gently into this world. Yes the music is such an important part of this process. We will be learning the basic process in this course, but with further study you will learn how to support women when complications arise in birth.
DeleteHi Nicoletta! I thought I responded to this earlier, and then realized I hadn't whoops!
DeleteAnyway. Your story struck me because I think it is something that some many women experience. We spend 9 months planning the best we can, only to have the rug pulled out from us. Just one of the many lessons birthing can teach.
In the end, I am so happy your baby arrived safely and you have recovered. I hope that you still feel empowered by your son's birth story, because like Mary said, you did an amazing job bringing him into this world, even if it wasn't as planned!
These videos were really engaging. I think my biggest takeaway was the universality of traditional birthing postures and the fact that women innately found positions that facilitated healthy birthing. It's pretty incredible what the human body can do.
ReplyDeleteMy other takeaway was the fact that women before modern medical birthing were depicted as capable and active in the process and how that changed. Previously they were viewed as having autonomy and influence over the process. Their whole being was considered and utilized. I think that the transition to seeing people as a singular condition and something to "fix" is problematic and is present in many medical settings, not just labor ones.
I think that we can take the practice of using the innate strengths of women in the birthing process. Music fits into this because it's one more aspect that the woman can have influence and and pull in. Music is also communal so it can help integrate the woman's support system into the birth process.
Well said! I think for many women birth is a "natural" skill. They just know what it is they need to do (or don't want to do!).
DeleteI just read something the other day that said the whole counting to 10 thing while pushing has very little effectiveness. I don't remember all the details, but essentially, women push for nearly that long naturally, without someone counting in their ear.
Zoe- yes to all! I couldn't agree more. Great observations! MD :)
ReplyDeleteThe thing that stood out to me the most was something that we have been learning and discussing since day one of our music therapy courses- empowerment! That is so important in every aspect of our work, so it only makes sense that it fits into birthing as well, and is a key component of what we can carry on from our ancestors. I believe we can provide that sense of empowerment needed to endure the pain and stresses that come with child bearing in music because of it's ability to serve as both a driving force and also a safe space for their own unique needs and desires as a mother. Expanding on what Nicoletta mentions, it's important to empower women to have their own choices and control over their situation and be sensitive and respectful of their decisions.
ReplyDeleteEmpowerment with music goes from facilitating determination and strength of natural birth and to reaches to the other end to mothers who may be unsure or even fearful throughout the process.
Yes Patricia- the music therapist guides the mother and her partner with music and support to empower, ease anxiety and increase relaxation because this is so important for mother and baby during pre-natal, labor, and post partum periods.
DeleteMusic therapy is so much about empowering the people we work with; whether it's a client with CP, a person with dementia, or a laboring mother. My goals almost always center on ways to make them feel in control of their own life.
DeleteEmpowerment is certainly the word! I think it's actually almost the norm to be taught to feel disempowered during pregnancy - we are taught that it is something to be feared, something that requires medical treatment. Obviously medical intervention is an amazing thing when it is needed - like in Nicoletta's case (and P.s Nicola - you are amazing, I think you really got the full spectrum of the giving birth thing and don't deserve to feel like you missed out or any less!), but it is sad to see that the majority of women still believe that they should deflect all power to medical professionals in every area of birthing.
ReplyDeleteThese videos were familiar to me, as it was not so long ago I was researching and learning all about natural birthing for my own birth. As I previously mentioned in my intro, I was fortunate enough to have a wonderful birthing experience - however I also know that not all of it was due to 'luck' (as so many of my friends kept telling me - "you were so lucky!"). I attended birth classes with a more holistic approach that focused on empowerment, natural birthing skills and also spoke about how women had birthed traditionally. I found Ina May Gaskin's book a wonderful source of inspiration and knowledge and attended yoga classes, ate really well and had lots of acupuncture. My baby was in breech up until the 36th week and on the suggestion of my wonderful mid-wives at the birth centre, I followed the spinningbabies.com suggestions and that, with some acupuncture (and probably a bit of luck), moved her into the right position - I was very relieved because it was birth centre policy that with a breech baby at 37 weeks, you are moved from there to hospital care. I only allowed myself to be surrounded by positive birthing stories (e.g. have you seen this? https://youtu.be/EsNhCWsDVQI) and tried to focus only on what I did want and not what could go wrong.
Was I superhuman? no. Did I yell out for an epidural? Yes! Did I wish for it to be over? Yes! But in the end, thanks so some amazing support from a student midwife, my husband (who kept doing low 'ohm' sounds which acted as my anchor), my own knowledge and research and yes, a little bit of luck, I had an intervention and drug free birth that last for 10 hrs. I didn't get the water birth I wanted and planned for, but it was pretty good! I guess my point is that every time I say I had no drugs and no tearing, people constantly tell me I was lucky. But I really felt like I trained for it, treating it like a marathon and I was lucky that I had come in contact with the right people, to give me the right knowledge to inspire the confidence that I really could do this. Music and sound without a doubt helped me and that's why I'm passionate about helping women to re-embrace our power through birthing.
I agree with what Mary said below! Sounds like you were very well prepared and educated, and had a team around you who knew how to support you!
DeleteLove Ina May and Spinning Babies! You had a great birth because you were prepared, music played an important role, and you had amazing support! Positive birth stories are so important. Negativity causes self doubt, fear and anxiety, which in turn can have significant effects on the birth experience. So glad you joined this course and thanks so much for sharing your experiences with the group. :) MD
ReplyDeleteI think traditional ways of birthing, described in the videos, make childbirth so much more organic, natural, and inclusive of the whole woman and family/support persons. Music obviously can enhance the environment for all present persons and be used intentionally for promoting a healthy childbirth and holistic support of the mother.
ReplyDeleteYes absolutely. The music affects everyone involved in the process. :)
ReplyDeleteIn response to this week’s question, one thing we can learn from our ancestors about childbirth is that all the technology and interventions we have today are not completely medically necessary. The fetal monitors are a necessary intervention, but continuous monitoring is not. Other interventions that confine a woman to a bed during delivery are also not necessary and can make the labor longer, harder, and less pleasurable. An IV for fluids can be avoided if the mother eats and drinks, and without the IV and monitors she is able to move/walk/and easily change positions.
ReplyDeleteThe way a woman gives birth is also an area where we can learn from our ancestors. Lying on their back is a traditional way now but this works against gravity. Our ancestors gave birth in positions where they could use gravity in their favor. It not only lets the mother not have to push as hard but it is better for the baby. With the mother on her back, the baby runs the risk of not receiving enough oxygen.
Doctors and hospitals today typically medicate for any pain and even in anticipation of pain, where as our ancestors may not have had epidurals or similar medications. This is the perfect opportunity for music. Since music has been shown to provide an analgesic effect, the need for pain medications can be drastically reduced, in addition to being used to regulate breath, heart rate, and to decrease stress levels. Music can also be a way to aid in bonding. A mother can write a song and sing/play it for their baby before their birth and then play/sing the same song following their birth. I think music can provide what is missing in some births. Among other things, music is supportive, comforting, provides a distraction, and can facilitate either an intimate or social experience.
Medically we have come along way, but at what cost to those giving birth.
Yes, yes, and yes to all. Music touches everyone in the birth environment and creates a sacred space for a new life to enter into. We must protect this environment and support the parents as they welcome and bond with their baby. I am looking forward to putting these ideas into practice with you all at our experiential weekend. :)
ReplyDeleteI learned a lot and enjoyed the videos this week. I feel as though my limited knowledge of the birthing process (I have no children of my own)has come from TLC specials, health class in middle school, and talking with people in my life who have given birth themselves. It wasn't until recently when I realized that it was possible in this day and age to have a birth outside of the hospital!
ReplyDeleteMy sister was 19 when she had her first child. When my nephew was breached, the doctors used forceps on him. She ended up having an emergency C-section, because the forceps had caused my nephew to have a stroke. He ended up with brain damage and partial paralysis on the right side of his body. He was otherwise healthy and is now a thriving 17-year old, but with lasting effects and complications of his birth. As I learned more about what my sister went through during her birthing process, the more I was curious and started to question the modern techniques of childbirth.
I believe that we have the ability to use music as a means to empower, soothe, and bring people together as support in the birthing process. I thought it was so beautiful how the ancient people in the videos would lean on the support (very literally!) of loved ones around them. I imagine that in those times birth was celebrated and womanliness was viewed as powerful. I think we have a great opportunity as Music Therapists to embrace these ideas again and help our clients experience that kind of empowerment.
Yes and music in labor and birthing can be used very effiectively to nurture social support from family and caregivers. It is wonderful. :)
DeleteNot having had children, and only really knowing knowledge of child birth from my sisters and friends, I found the different options to be interesting. The word that came to mind for me in regards to this week's question was instinct.
ReplyDeleteA woman's body has a natural instinct to deliver a child, and while all of the technologies available in new age childbirth can be extremely useful, they can also limit our ability to use our instincts. My sister experienced a complicated birth in which immediate medical assistance was lifesaving, so I realize there is a place for having options available; but, it was also interesting to learn about how different medications can effect the labor process by either increasing pain or prolonging the delivery. In this age we are flooded with distractions -- text messages, emails, social media -- and we don't take the time to listen to our bodies. Often times, we are told to listen to our bodies when we work out too hard or eat food that doesn't sit well in our system , but rarely have I heard that same message in regards to childbirth. I found it incredibly interesting that bodies can communicate to a mother when it is time to push in delivery; but, I feel that often times the use of epidurals and medications can limit a woman's ability to receive that message.
I feel the use of music within childbirth can help eliminate those distracts that may cause stress, fear, or confusion and instead help women to tune in to their bodies' natural rhythms. With the use of relaxation techniques and rhythmic entrainment women can begin to focus inward and listen to the messages their bodies are communicating with them.
Yes using music to limit distractions and follow your natural birthing instincts- that is great way to explain the purpose of MTACB to your clients.
DeleteThe video supplemental learning is a great way to honor the ancestral history of birth. The images of the statues and other visual representations of the ancient birthing mothers were new to me. These were really beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI love visual art; it really connects everything. I think sometimes music therapists limit themselves when they forget that the “music” part of MT is arts and humanities... and fundamentally important to society. We should be able to lean into our music expertise just as we lean into evidence-based-practices. We must value science and medicine, but let it not be at the expense of art. Art has clearly always been a part of birth. We can be the modern supporters/practitioners/attendees standing at the ready to hold safe spaces for birth. It’s good to know where you come from, so I am glad that this course starts with history. I enjoyed the history of MTACB as well.
I had already heard much of the information about the medicalization of normal birth, so my thoughts during that portion consisted of me noticing my reactions to the images I was seeing. One problem that is exacerbated by moving almost all births to the hospital is that it starts to create major disconnects between birth processes and general community. American society is definitely struggling with overly-sexualized female body images (can we agree that female breast and nipple can be both for pleasure and for nourishing a baby?). I felt in awe of the goddess art forms, but didn’t quite feel the same when seeing the medical draping of doctor attending the woman without showing her full body. I wanted to see a woman leading her birth, but instead she seemed more like an object. Television and movies often portray birth as an emergency for the sake of drama, but tend to shy away from normal birth and from those powerful goddess-like images that I have seen (via video of natural birth). They even have to blur genitals, which is really just crazy… Why do this? It seems we only censor women’s bodies for all the wrong reasons. This is a whole different topic, but it does bring me right back to those classic images of the birthing woman and her supporters.
I will be looking to recreate that support scene through a positive musical space. In my hospice internship, I often thought about music as a container. I think that may apply here. That container will hold all the participants (mom, baby, birth support professionals) in the safest possible place. What we have seen on tv and in movies will not matter once everyone is present and focused with the support of the music.
Great observations Caroline And yes music most definitely is the container for the sacred space of birthing. :)
Delete"We must value science and medicine, but let it not be at the expense of art. Art has clearly always been a part of birth." I love this statement. I think we forget that evidence based medicine does not just mean that which has been published in a medical journal. Evidence based medicine includes patient values AND clinical expertise. There is thousands of years of birthing evidence prior to published medical research and much of it has been recorded through art.
DeleteWe as modern women can learn so much from the natural birth process that women experienced for thousands of years. We should look to the time before medicine to see that our bodies are capable of birthing. I love the ferocity of the goddess statues! Women's bodies are truly incredible.
ReplyDeleteWe should also be thankful that we live in an age where we can get help when medically necessary. However I think that should be emphasized more- WHEN medically necessary. Many women are capable of having healthy labors and births without medical intervention. But thank goodness medicine is there when we need it!
Music has the power to support women, partners, caregivers, and baby thought the birth process. Music is such a flexible medium that it can be used for whatever will help mom at the time, be it relaxation, energy, or creating a sacred bonding space after birth. Music could also assist mom with anxiety/pain perception if a medical procedure becomes necessary.
If anyone wants to hear more about the many different ways birth can happen I would HIGHLY recommend a podcast called "The Birth Hour". Each episode is just a different woman telling her birth story. I listened to at least a hundred while I was pregnant! There's also a wonderful Birth Hour Instagram that has photos and videos of what birth really looks like to clear all those bogus TV images from your head.
Yes use our inner birth goddess, power and strength to give birth naturally and music can so support this process. Medical intervention when necessary for health of mother or baby. Thanks for sharing about The Birth Hour podcast and instagram. :) MD
ReplyDeleteI have not experienced birth, and will say that I have had a skewed view on what birthing could be. As is often depicted in movies and other media, I assumed the most healthy way to birth was as I had seen via those mediums, and since medicine is ever evolving, I thought it was the most 'scientific' way to birth. That being said, I have experienced pain, and have learned to trust my body to what would most naturally alleviate my symptoms. The 'timeless way' seems so intuitive to me and makes complete sense in terms of posture, pain relief, and support. I have also often wondered why we need so much medicinal support during birth, since nature has always reproduced this way successfully. The concept of a woman being strong and fierce, instead of weak and helpless, is an incredibly appealing way of viewing birth, and empowers a mother to have a different prospective on the birthing process.
ReplyDeleteMusic is intuitive to our body, our brain, and our emotions and is a natural, non-intrusive contributor to support breath control, pain, and bonding. Music has the ability to help us focus on the present, be in the moment, and use our bodies instincts to guide a natural and healthy birth. With the evidence-based practice of music and the brain, of music and the cardiovascular system, and music and mental health, emotional behavioral, and emotional support systems, it is an obvious aid in the cause of a healthy, natural birth. Music is a positive contributor that has the ability to comfort, give strength, pace, and relieve aspects of the birth and make a natural experience, often done in a sterile environment, a spiritually bonding experience for which the parents can be active contributors and hold precious their whole lives.
Yes woman are strong, amazingly strong. We can use music to support them and help them find their inner strength even during the toughest times in labor. it is so incredibly powerful. And the music therapist's presence is equally as powerful and important.
DeleteOne thing that struck out to me immediately while watching the videos and reading the information, but specifically all the videos, is that women are NEVER alone while giving birth. There were always different positons and techniques, and different cultures; but the women always had somebody with them to give birth.
ReplyDeleteThis was so important in my mind because as a woman who has never given birth, the idea terrifies me and excites me at the same time. It terrifies me because I'm the type of person who would stress out during labor (which was then fun to read in chapter 12 that stress makes labor MORE painful). So knowing that women have never been alone during this stressful yet exciting time was comforting and beautiful to learn; that someone literally has the back of an expecting mother.
Music is a powerful tool that we tend to take for granted. It can support women and their partners and provide them a sense of comfort and control. Music is so undeniably a part of who we are, in no matter which way, so if music can be an integral part of such an crucial moment in a woman's life, why should not be utilized that way too?
Absolutely! Using music to support the partner is also so important because it helps the partner to support the birth mother and the baby. Every mother should have the chance at this experience if she desires it.
DeleteYes, I also liked this emphasis on how mothers traditionally had support during labor and birth. Knowing that there is someone to lean on, literally and metaphorically, does relieve anxiety and stress. And like you said, music can play such a powerful role in this--supporting both the mother and the partner.
DeleteHaving recently had two children, I found much of the reading and most of the video material to be a welcome review of my childbirth preparation. As a pregnant mother, I was determined to to honor the sacred experience of giving birth and continue to be troubled and concerned about the "westernization" of birth.
ReplyDeleteThe narrator of the videos made a statement in one of the earlier videos (the European images video I believe) that made a huge impact on me as a mother AND as a music therapist. She said, "they came together in celebration". I distinctly remember after the birth of my son, who was born by medically unnecessary and coerced cesarean, that there was no celebration around his birth. I was wheeled into recovery and I sent my husband with the baby. I was alone, scared, angry, and sad. I often wonder how music may have changed my experience.
Just as women have been giving birth for thousands of years using age old practices that are rooted in evidence based care, music has been used to compliment, celebrate, commemorate, and honor life's most important events. Human beings from all cultures use music to celebrate life that is given and life that is taken away.... weddings, holidays, birthdays, funerals, graduations, social gatherings, etc.
There are many ways that I believe that music can support the traditional ways of birthing. I am specifically interested in exploring the ways that music can be used to protect the sacred integrity of the birthing space, provide comfort, support, and pain management opportunities for the birthing mother, and provide a universal approach to the CELEBRATION of life.
Yes, yes, yes that is what MTACB is all about! I am so sorry that the birth of your son was not what you had planned and that you were left alone to process those feelings. It is possible to heal from the experience with the help of a music therapist. It is also through trainings like this that we can educate others and expand critical services for all birthing women and their babies.
DeleteI was really fascinated by these videos. To be perfectly honest, the notion of childbirth absolutely terrifies me but I was surprised to find that I was so intrigued with child birthing practices. It is comforting to know that women since the beginning of time have gone through a process that I will one day go through and across cultures much of their techniques are the same.
ReplyDeleteI love the level of support that all women seem to get in giving childbirth. The idea of having so many around you supporting you and cheering you on is definitely something that comforts me. I was also very interested to find out that women are reverting back to many of the more ancient birthing rituals, though now mostly supervised by a health care professional. I know a lot of women who have chosen to do water births or births at home rather than at a hospital.
Music seems like a natural companion to this process, assisting women along as another support partner that can make bringing a child into the world easier.
Birth is beautiful and should be celebrated. It a laboring woman is well supported and not interrupted in her care most births occur naturally wihtout complications. It is fortunate that we have modern medical care to save moms and babies in emergencies, but it is important to remember that not every birth is an emergency nor does it require emergency level care.
ReplyDeleteWatching these videos and reading about labor in Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn brought me back to this time two years ago, when I was preparing to give birth. Then and now, I found it so empowering to learn about labor and birth, and the strength that women have always shown in these processes. It is exciting to consider the role that music can play in birth. Simkin et al talk about the importance of relaxation, rhythm, and ritual in managing the pain and anxiety of labor. Music can support all three of these “Rs,” helping mothers cope with labor. Further, as the videos show, birth has traditionally been associated with community and celebration. Music also has a long history in community celebrations and rituals, making it a natural fit in the childbirth process.
ReplyDeleteDuring my pregnancy, I read Ina Mae Gaskin’s Guide to Childbirth, took a natural childbirth course, and tried to prepare as much as possible for a drug-free birth in the baby-friendly hospital I had chosen. However, after an unmedicated labor and many hours of pushing, it became clear that my baby’s head was really tightly stuck in my pelvis. I had a great OB and L&D nurse who tried to facilitate a vaginal birth by attempting manual rotation of the baby’s head and helping me to push in several different positions. Ultimately, though, nothing worked and I ended up having a c-section.
Music seems to fit naturally in a traditional childbirth, but I imagine that it would also be super helpful in situations where medical intervention is necessary. My son had trouble breathing at birth, and I have such a strong memory of how quiet the OR was as we waited for him to breathe and cry (the longest 10 minutes of my life!). Having some music in the room to hold us during those scary moments would have been so helpful. Knowing that we were both being held and supported by the music would have made it easier to be separated from my son while the doctors worked on him.
I am interested in exploring how music can help mothers and babies cope with difficult birth experiences. I am also curious about how childbirth professionals can help women prepare for the possibility of complications or interventions without instilling fear.
As I mentioned above, I was very focused on natural labor and delivery prior to giving birth. I avoided reading about potential complications, and don’t remember my healthcare providers or childbirth educators discussing them with me either. (I didn’t have a doula or music therapist, so they may do things differently!) Because of my approach to learning about birth, I was not at all prepared for a c-section, and it took me a while to come to terms with it emotionally. I do think that it is important to normalize the birth process and remove the fear surrounding it by helping women feel empowered and confident in their ability to give birth. I wonder how that can be balanced, though, with an understanding that sometimes complications can arise even if the mother is prepared and well supported.
I do still find the idea of natural birth very empowering and exciting—and I hope to give it another try some day! I am looking forward to learning about how music can support all kinds of childbirth experiences.