The June 2013 issue of Spirituality & Health Magazine included an article entitled Special Delivery. The article shares research regarding easier labors for women with a spiritual foundation.

The article explains that no particular religious denomination helps women have enjoyable, vaginal and medication-free childbirths; it’s the belief that their bodies are doing exactly what they are equipped and designed to do and that they are connected to something greater and higher than themselves.

I really appreciate this statement by Diane Speier, a childbirth educator with more than 20 years of experience teaching holistic childbirth classes. “When a woman is grounded spiritually, it gives her grace under pressure. She has resources that help provide her with a level of inner peace and harmony to allay her fear.”

I loved the unbiased nature of the entire article. It depicted the experiences of seasoned birth professionals who were willing to share their observations and personal experiences. I believe their assessment held true for my own enjoyable, vaginal, medication-free births, as well as the labor and delivery experiences that I’ve witnessed professionally.

I’m curious to learn your view about the presence or absence of a spiritual foundation and its effect on your personal birth experience or the experience of a loved one or client. Looking forward to your responses!