Making space for spirituality in childbirth

Prayer and meditation practices in the early COVID-19 pandemic: A nationwide survey among Danish pregnant women. The COVIDPregDK study

“…We believe our findings applies to all birthing people. Addressing existential and spiritual considerations could be included in maternity care services in recognition of how the transition to motherhood may change life at a profoundly existential level ( Boyle et al, 2017 ; Crowther and Hall, 2017 ; Prinds et al, 2021 ). Moreover, if existential meaning-making considerations and practices are important components of good mental health, there should be a focus on further research and clinical practice ( Health, 2016 ; Koushede, 2015 ).…”

Spiritual Experiences of Portuguese Women Who had a Water Birth

“…Interventions, such as pain relief medications, anesthesia, or cesarean delivery, attempt to control and minimize pain during the childbirth process (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 2019). Thus, considering and celebrating childbirth as a spiritual event could be inhibited by a reductionist view of health and humanity that perpetuated the medicalized, technocratic, and biomedical model (Crowther et al, 2021;OBoyle et al, 2017;Thomson & Downe, 2013;Timmins & Caldeira, 2019). However, childbirth is a choice, and women may seek medicalization to alleviate pain.…”

Spirituality in Pregnancy

“…3 A woman undergoes obvious physical changes during pregnancy, yet transformation also occurs emotionally, socially, and spiritually. 3,14 Her sense of self shifts as she now takes on the role of a new mother to that child. Callister and Khalaf 2 describes this as giving "birth to herself as a woman entering the new role of motherhood."…”

“…Childbirth is a transformative rite of passage 3. A woman undergoes obvious physical changes during pregnancy, yet transformation also occurs emotionally, socially, and spiritually 3,14. Her sense of self shifts as she now takes on the role of a new mother to that child.…”