What is a safe birth?
We have made such fine advances.
Birth is now very safe.
And it becomes safer the quicker we can do a caesar and the younger we can rescue a premature baby.
It really is incredible what we are able to do nowadays.
And the focus is on that.
To ensure that a birth is safe.
Safe for the mother. Safe for they baby.
They are alive.
Because that is the most important.
That they are alive.
Of course, that is the most important. I think we can all agree on that.
But is it?
Or have we gone way, way, way over to one side, in one direction and forgotten about balance?
Firstly, birth is never, and can never be 100% safe.
Let’s face that.
Scary. But oh so true.
We want it to be. We so, so want it to be.
Of course.
But is that everything?
Do we take away everything else to ensure it?
Is that safe?
What is a safe birth?
Is a safe birth a birth where we ensure mother and baby are alive?
Or is it one where a mother feels held and safe and looked after and cared for so that she can feel capable and able to hold and look after and care for her baby.
Make her baby feel safe.
She is the mother after all. The one who takes care of this child. Not us. We walk away.
How do we ensure a balance of both worlds?
A safe birth.
Safe. Alive. Well.
And a feeling of safety. Not traumatised and violated.
But whole. Trusting. Empowered.
And safe.