(I wrote the following after I gave birth to my elder daughter more than 40 years ago. I was euphoric as the completion of her birth after a marvelously succeeded in birthing her without medication. She was born in a military hospital in Fort Leavenworth, KS. She was the first Lamaze Method baby born there.)
No,my daughter, babies do not come from storks!
We've come a long way from when babies came special delivery from this awkward looking bird.
Birth today is much more recognized as a mystery -- a beautiful and exciting experience.
Whatsmore, having a baby does not have to mean pain. It's always hard work. But will proper education and stick-to-itiveness, pain doesn't have to be a part of labor any more than it has to be a part of pregnancy.
In addition, having a baby need not be wife's solitary effort. Instead it can be a shared joy for both husband and wife -- together during labor and delivery.
This is prepared childbirth in a nutshell. Some people call it the Lamaze (from its innovator, Dr. Fernard Lamaze) Method. Others mistakenly call it natural childbirth. Doctors call it the psychoprophylactic method.
A prepared childbirth mother and father simply prepare to have a baby together.
First of all, they're educated to just what to expect during labor and delivery.
Then the wife learns the art of complete relaxation --- immediately responding to her husband's command to relax.
Lastly the wife learns how to breathe during contractions -- from deep abdominal -- to quickened and shallow breathing to mighty pushing to deliver the baby.
So when baby does come, instead of the hospital receiving a fearful tense mother-to-be, they greet a calm and knowledgeable couple ready to have their baby together with dignity and love.
Prepared childbirth -- an experience of a lifetime!
Thank God, another and better way has been found for babies to enter the world than by storks.