Peace, Violence and Birth
What does a peaceful birth look like?
Many people have not seen or cannot even imagine a peaceful labor and birth scene. Have you ever seen an animal give birth? Check it out and ask yourself: how can they be so calm? Close your eyes and take a moment to imagine a calm, peaceful birth scene for everyone involved; and see What Does a Peaceful Birth Look Like?
Obstetrical Violence
From the perspective of peace educator Colman McCarthy, obstetrical violence is an apt description for what goes on in labor and delivery rooms. In the film The Business of Being Born that he shows to his college classes, it is said maternity care in this country (USA) is in crisis. And to back this up are statistics: "The United States has the 2nd worst newborn death rate in the developed world" and "the U.S. has one of the highest maternal mortality rates among all industrialized countries." See Obstetrical Violence for more information on this topic.
a mother is born
Peaceful Motherhood is about the development of maternal instincts and inspiration on Spiritual Motherhood.
Birth and the Origins of Violence
"What Babies are Teaching Us About Violence" and "Birth and The Origins of Violence - Introduction". These two astounding articles by David Chamberlain can be found here on the website of the Association for Pre- and Perinatal Psychology and Health. The original 1995 article can be read here. As Colman McCarthy says: it is easier to build a peaceful child than repair a violent adult.