I wanted an all-natural home birth for my second child. I’d had a negative experience in the hospital with my first child, and since that time, I had grown tremendously in my faith and reliance on God.
Through prayer, I was led to a particular team of midwives. I shared with them that I was a Christian Scientist and that I rely on prayer for care and healing. The midwives did not flinch. While other prospective midwives had sounded put off and concerned, as if they were expecting something to go wrong, this team was different. One midwife even said, “That’s great!” She respected my choice, and during my moments of doubt, she was a cheerleader encouraging and supporting me.
My biggest challenge, however, was overcoming fear of pain during labor. This is an aggressive belief attached to childbirth—that a baby has to cause the mother pain or suffering. As a Christian Scientist, I felt that my first duty was to know that I am the reflection of God, Spirit. This means I am entirely spiritual. And if Spirit cannot experience pain or suffering, then as Spirit’s likeness, I cannot experience pain or suffering either.
