This may sound strange, but I’m reading Dan Brown’s The Lost Symbol at my husband’s suggestion, and it’s really helping me . . . at this moment . . . find peace with my path to successful birth at the end of this pregnancy.
This book introduced me to noetic science. Huh? According to Wikipedia, noetic theory is “the study of mind and intuition, and its relationship with the divine intellect.” That is just right up my alley in some ways. I’m more prone to read a research study about pregnancy than I am to delve into Birthing from Within, but part of my non-fiction pursuits in the past have focused on theology and mysticism, and this book (and a recent talk with a trusted friend, a “straight up” talk with a midwife who doesn’t live in my area, and some soul searching) has helped remind me of the mystical aspect of birth. Birth is a divine gift and one bestowed on women. Should it surprise us that the male-dominated world would try and rob us (think gender subversion, think hegemony, heck think Marxism) of this unique gift?!
Ok, so back to my unexpected fiction-induced fervor and confidence in my ability to birth:
- “Our untapped potential is truly shocking.” (p. 27)
- “We have barely scratched the surface of our mental and spiritual capabilities.” (p. 67)
- Our thoughts have physical mass & can interact with the physical world, “. . . whether or not we [know] it, effecting change all the way down to the subatomic realm.” (p. 67)
- Intention requires practice! (see http://www.theintentionexperiment.com/how-to-intend)
- This seems to coincide with what I’ve already learned about Bodytalk (see http://www.bodytalksystem.com/learn/bodytalk/) – that the body can rebalance and repair itself.
Gosh, what does this have to do with natural birth? Well, in my case, I’ve had a lot of experience with programming myself in the medical model of women’s health. I have benefitted from this model, surely, but when it comes to natural physiologic birth, the medical model has its severe limitations. I feel like a hostage to the medical model – and sometimes victims are oddly attached to their captors. I am one of those victims.
I need God to work with me BIG TIME during this pregnancy. He continues to keep me safe even though I fall flat on my face every day. He never forsakes me. He will protect me and this baby too, if it’s his divine Will. God’s plan may not be my plan, but I have to believe that no matter what my and my husband’s decision may be for this birth, that His Will will be done.
“Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.” ~ Psalm 127:1
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” ~ John 14:27
“Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust Him, and He will help you. Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for Him to act.” ~ Psalm 37:5,7
Clearly, I’m still working all of this out and how it connects, and how it may or may not be useful to me. But I am excited to share this renewed faith with you. I’ve always been interested in the spiritual aspect of science, and now I’m discovering even more connections to and evidence of God’s presence in modern science.
Here’s to a peaceful and powerful 2011!
The Trial of Labor 